HATs off to capping: a new mechanism for Myc

Cell Cycle. 2007 Apr 15;6(8):907-9. doi: 10.4161/cc.6.8.4123. Epub 2007 Apr 8.

Abstract

The mechanism of transcriptional activation by Myc has been a subject of considerable interest for many years. Recently we reported a novel Myc biochemical function in gene regulation which is distinct from conventional transcriptional activation. Myc can induce global RNA pol II carboxy terminal domain phosphorylation and enhanced mRNA cap methylation on a subset of mRNAs. Remarkably, Myc can induce many of these effects in the complete absence of its DNA binding domain. We further discuss the mechanism of Myc-induced cap methylation, its synergistic relationship with Myc induced transcription, and the role of Myc in cell proliferation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drosophila
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factors / metabolism
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factors / physiology
  • Humans
  • Methylation
  • Methyltransferases / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Models, Biological
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / chemistry
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / physiology*
  • RNA Caps / metabolism*
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism
  • RNA Polymerase II / physiology
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • RNA Caps
  • Methyltransferases
  • RNA Polymerase II