Myc and Max homologs in Drosophila

Science. 1996 Nov 29;274(5292):1523-7. doi: 10.1126/science.274.5292.1523.

Abstract

The proteins encoded by the myc proto-oncogene family are involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and neoplasia. Myc acts through dimerization with Max to bind DNA and activate transcription. Homologs of the myc and max genes were cloned from the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and their protein products (dMyc and dMax) were shown to heterodimerize, recognize the same DNA sequence as their vertebrate homologs, and activate transcription. The dMyc protein is likely encoded by the Drosophila gene diminutive (dm), a mutation in which results in small body size and female sterility caused by degeneration of the ovaries. These findings indicate a potential role for Myc in germ cell development and set the stage for genetic analysis of Myc and Max.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA, Complementary
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Dimerization
  • Drosophila Proteins*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / chemistry
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / growth & development
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Genes, Insect
  • Genes, myc
  • Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oligonucleotide Probes / metabolism
  • Ovary / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / chemistry
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA, Complementary
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • MAS1 protein, human
  • MAX protein, human
  • Max protein, Drosophila
  • Myc associated factor X
  • Myc protein, Drosophila
  • Oligonucleotide Probes
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transcription Factors

Associated data

  • GENBANK/U77369
  • GENBANK/U77370