Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
12:29
Live Imaging of Antifungal Activity by Human Primary Neutrophils and Monocytes in Response to A. fumigatus
Published on: April 19, 2017
Of Myc and Mnt
C William Hooker1, Peter J Hurlin
1Shriners Hospitals for Children and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Journal of Cell Science
|January 18, 2006
Summary
Myc deregulation drives cancer, but apoptosis and antagonist proteins like Mxd and Mnt fine-tune its activity. These proteins, Mnt and Mxd (Mad), regulate Myc
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Biology
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Myc deregulation is a hallmark of cancer, promoting tumor formation.
- Myc's oncogenic function is counterbalanced by its ability to induce apoptosis.
- The Mxd (Mad) family and Mnt proteins act as transcriptional repressors, antagonizing Myc.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antagonistic roles of Mxd and Mnt proteins in regulating Myc activity.
- To understand how these antagonists fine-tune Myc's influence on cell proliferation and apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Myc, Mxd, and Mnt protein interactions and functions.
- Examination of transcriptional regulation by Myc-Max, Mxd-Max, and Mnt-Max complexes.
- Studies on the impact of Mxd and Mnt on Myc-driven tumorigenesis and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Mnt proteins broadly antagonize Myc activity.
- Mxd proteins exhibit specialized roles as Myc antagonists, linked to their expression patterns.
- Mnt-Max and Mxd-Max complexes repress transcription, opposing Myc-Max's activation function.
Conclusions:
- The interplay between Myc, Mxd, and Mnt is crucial for precise control of cellular processes.
- These antagonists fine-tune Myc's role in cell-cycle progression, proliferation, and apoptosis.
- Understanding these regulatory mechanisms offers insights into cancer development and potential therapeutic strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:32Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures
Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
01:19Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
01:13Formation of Muscle Fibers from Myoblasts
De novo myogenesis, or the formation of muscle fibers, begins during the early embryonic stages. The skeletal muscle is formed from somites– blocks of embryonic cell layers. The somites are further divided into dermatomes, myotomes, sclerotomes, and syndetomes. Among these, the myotomes give rise to muscle fibers.
Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) are formed from the myotomes. MPCs express genes that encode the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7. Along with Pax 3/7, other transcription factors...
Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) are formed from the myotomes. MPCs express genes that encode the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7. Along with Pax 3/7, other transcription factors...
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...