Activation of the c-myc oncogene

Abstract

Activated forms of the c-myc oncogene have been linked to cell transformation in a variety of mammalian and avian tumors. Several mechanisms of gene activation have been described, but each mechanism gives rise to constitutive levels of expression, usually no higher than that found in proliferating normal cells. Thus, activation of the c-myc oncogene appears to require high levels of the c-myc protein, in particular at stages of cell growth and differentiation during which the gene is supposed to be inactive.