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AMY-1, a novel C-MYC binding protein that stimulates transcription activity of C-MYC

T Taira1, J Maëda, T Onishi

  • 1Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12 Nishi 6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060 Japan.

Abstract

Insights

A novel 11 kDa protein, AMY-1, binds to C-MYC and enhances its transcriptional activity. AMY-1 translocates to the nucleus during the S phase, potentially regulating C-MYC

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The c-myc proto-oncogene is crucial for cell proliferation, differentiation, transformation, and apoptosis.
  • C-MYC interacts with various cellular factors, including Max, YY1, p107, Bin1, and TBP, through its N-terminal and C-terminal regions.
  • The N-terminal region of C-MYC is essential for its biological functions, with different interacting proteins mediating distinct roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel proteins that interact with C-MYC.
  • To investigate the functional role of a newly discovered C-MYC-binding protein, AMY-1, in transcriptional regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Cloning of cDNAs encoding the novel C-MYC-binding protein, AMY-1.
  • Analysis of AMY-1 protein interactions with C-MYC using biochemical assays.
  • Cellular localization studies (cytoplasmic vs. nuclear) under varying c-myc expression levels and during the cell cycle.
  • Functional assays to assess AMY-1's effect on E-box-regulated transcription.
  • Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to determine the chromosomal location of the amy-1 gene.

Main Results:

  • Two cDNAs, AMY-1L and AMY-1S, were cloned, both encoding an 11 kDa protein, AMY-1.
  • AMY-1 binds to the N-terminal transactivation domain of C-MYC (amino acids 58-148).
  • AMY-1 localizes to the cytoplasm at low c-myc levels and translocates to the nucleus when c-myc expression is high or during S phase.
  • AMY-1 does not bind or transactivate the E-box element itself but enhances MYC/Max-mediated transcription.
  • The amy-1 gene is mapped to chromosome 1p32.2-1p33.

Conclusions:

  • AMY-1 is an 11 kDa protein that binds to C-MYC's N-terminal region and potentiates E-box-dependent transcription.
  • AMY-1's dynamic localization between cytoplasm and nucleus, particularly during S phase with increased c-myc expression, suggests a role in controlling C-MYC transcriptional activity.

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