Identification of c-MYC as a target of the APC pathway

Science. 1998 Sep 4;281(5382):1509-12. doi: 10.1126/science.281.5382.1509.

Abstract

The adenomatous polyposis coli gene (APC) is a tumor suppressor gene that is inactivated in most colorectal cancers. Mutations of APC cause aberrant accumulation of beta-catenin, which then binds T cell factor-4 (Tcf-4), causing increased transcriptional activation of unknown genes. Here, the c-MYC oncogene is identified as a target gene in this signaling pathway. Expression of c-MYC was shown to be repressed by wild-type APC and activated by beta-catenin, and these effects were mediated through Tcf-4 binding sites in the c-MYC promoter. These results provide a molecular framework for understanding the previously enigmatic overexpression of c-MYC in colorectal cancers.

Publication types

  • Comment
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genes, APC*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genes, myc*
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • TCF Transcription Factors
  • Trans-Activators*
  • Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • beta Catenin

Substances

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • TCF Transcription Factors
  • TCF7L2 protein, human
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein
  • Transcription Factors
  • beta Catenin