Target genes and cellular regulators of the Myc transcription complex

Abstract

Precisely how the Myc proteins promote cellular growth and transformation remains an enigma. Structural and functional studies unequivocally demonstrate that Myc proteins have the potential to function as regulators of gene transcription in vivo. Therefore, the current view is that Myc-induced cellular growth is orchestrated by products of the genes regulated by Myc and that efforts to curtail Myc function are best directed toward the accessory proteins that interact with Myc to modulate its function as a transcription factor. This review is focused on recent work designed to identify the genetic targets of Myc activity in cells and to characterize Myc-interacting proteins. These studies have provided an intriguing set of molecular tools that can be exploited to generate new information on the role of Myc in cell growth and oncogenic transformation.