c-Myc

The transcription factor c-Myc is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix leucinezipper (bHLHZip) protein family. The target genes of the c-MYC protein participate in different cellular functions, including cell cycle, survival, protein synthesis, cell adhesion, and micro-RNA expression. c-Myc is also one of the four factors used in reprogramming somatic cells to induce pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and is implicated in maintaining cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). Most biological functions of c-Myc require heterodimerization with its activation partner Max.

c-Myc is also part of a dynamic network whose members interact selectively with one another and with various transcriptional coregulators and histone-modifying enzymes. Deregulated expression of c-MYC caused by gene amplification, retroviral insertion, or chromosomal translocation is associated with tumorigenesis. c-Myc has been identified as a highly promising target for cancer therapy.