Myc: Master Regulator of Global Genomic Expression

The proto-oncogene Myc family is one of the most comprehensively studied group of genes in the contemporary area of genomic research. Myc interacts with other small proteins such as Max, Mad/Mnt, Miz1 etc. and modulates the dynamics of global gene expression. In the recent decade, high throughput screening based on microarray gene profiling, Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE), Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) followed by genomic array analysis have generated a great deal of information regarding genomic binding loci of Myc and its putative target genes. Intriguingly, several thousands of genomic targets have been identified and estimated that Myc regulates approximately 10-15% of the global transcriptome. In view of above, Myc has been proposed to function as a master regulator of global genome expression and in this capacity Myc regulates major cellular functions such as cell proliferation, cell adhesion, metabolism, protein biosynthesis, etc. In consequent to its broad spectrum of target genes, dysregulation of Myc expression has been implicated with development of several fatal diseases including cancer. Therefore, extensive understanding of the genomic targets of Myc is essential to delineate the enigma of the complex biological functions of this exceptionally important gene family and to develop novel therapeutic strategies.