Work

c-Myc enhances protein synthesis and cell size during B lymphocyte development

Year: 1999

Type: article

Abstract: Members of the myc family of nuclear protooncogenes play roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Moreover, inappropriate expression of c-myc genes contributes to the development of many types of cancers, including B cell lymphomas in humans. Although Myc proteins have been shown to function as transcription factors, their immediate effects on the cell have not been well defined. Here we have utilized a murine model of lymphomagenesis (Emu-myc mice) to show that constitutive expression of a c-myc transgene under control of the Ig heavy-chain enhancer (Emu) results in an increase in cell size of normal pretransformed B lymphocytes at all stages of B cell development. Furthermore, we show that c-Myc-induced growth occurs independently of cell cycle phase and correlates with an increase in protein synthesis. These results suggest that Myc may normally function by coordinating expression of growth-related genes in response to mitogenic signals. Deregulated c-myc expression may predispose to cancer by enhancing cell growth to levels required for unrestrained cell division.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.96.23.13180

Authors: Brian M. Iritani, Robert N. Eisenman

Institution: Fred Hutch Cancer Center

Language: English

Topic: Lymphoma Diagnosis and Treatment

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: U.S. Public Health Service, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases