Myc tagging along the TRAIL to death receptor 5

M Saeed Sheikh1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, State University of New York, Syracuse 13210, USA. sheikhm@upstate.edu

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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