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Published on: October 30, 2015
Myc tagging along the TRAIL to death receptor 5
1Department of Pharmacology, State University of New York, Syracuse 13210, USA. sheikhm@upstate.edu
Abstract:
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL; also known as Apo2L) is an apoptotic cytokine that is being developed as a novel anticancer agent. TRAIL mediates its effect via death receptors 4 (DR4) and DR5 and appears to selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The molecular basis of why normal cells seem to better tolerate this novel cytokine remains unknown. Recently, it has been reported that Myc oncoprotein by upregulating DR5 appears to augment cellular susceptibility to TRAIL and to DR5 agonistic antibodies. Several previous studies have already established that various clinically relevant agents by upregulating DR5 sensitize cells to TRAIL. However, the finding that DR5 is upregulated by an oncoprotein that is overexpressed in several tumor types is noteworthy and may spark future investigations aiming to explore the Myc and DR5 expression status of primary tumors and their ultimate vulnerability to DR5-targeted therapeutics.
Insights
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively induces cancer cell death. Myc oncoprotein enhances cancer cell sensitivity to TRAIL by upregulating the DR5 receptor.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) is an anticancer cytokine.
- TRAIL induces apoptosis via death receptors DR4 and DR5, primarily in cancer cells.
- The resistance of normal cells to TRAIL is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Myc oncoprotein in TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
- To explore the relationship between Myc, DR5 expression, and cancer cell susceptibility to TRAIL.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on TRAIL, DR5, and Myc.
- Analysis of existing research on agents that upregulate DR5 to sensitize cells to TRAIL.
Main Results:
- Myc oncoprotein upregulates DR5 expression.
- Upregulation of DR5 by Myc increases cancer cell sensitivity to TRAIL and DR5 agonistic antibodies.
- Previous studies show various agents upregulate DR5, sensitizing cells to TRAIL.
Conclusions:
- Myc-driven DR5 upregulation is a significant factor in cancer cell vulnerability to TRAIL.
- Investigating Myc and DR5 expression in tumors may reveal new therapeutic strategies targeting DR5.
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