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Nature Research, Nature Reviews Cancer, 3(8), p. 234-242, 2008

DOI: 10.1038/nrc2328

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Myc in mammalian epidermis: how can an oncogene stimulate differentiation?

Journal article published in 2008 by Fiona M. Watt ORCID, Michaela Frye, Salvador Aznar Benitah
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

10 years ago it was reported that overexpression of the oncogene c-Myc in human epidermal stem cells stimulates differentiation rather than uncontrolled proliferation. This was, understandably, greeted with scepticism by researchers. However, subsequent studies have confirmed that Myc can stimulate epidermal stem cells to differentiate and shed light on the underlying mechanisms. Two cancer relevant concepts emerge. First, Myc regulates similar genes in different cell types, but the biological consequences are context-dependent. Second, Myc activation is not a simple ‘on/off’ switch. The cellular response depends on the strength and duration of Myc activity, which in turn is affected by the multiple cofactors and regulatory pathways with which Myc interacts.