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Induction of apoptosis by Drosophila Myc
Author(s) -
Montero Lilian,
Müller Nadine,
Gallant Peter
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
genesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.093
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1526-968X
pISSN - 1526-954X
DOI - 10.1002/dvg.20373
Subject(s) - apoptosis , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , proto oncogene proteins c myc , cell growth , dna damage , cancer research , transcription factor , genetics , dna
Myc proteins are essential regulators of cellular growth and proliferation during normal development. Activating mutations in myc genes result in excessive growth and are frequently associated with human cancers. At the same time, forced expression of Myc sensitizes vertebrate cells towards different pro‐apoptotic stimuli. Recently, the ability of overexpressed Myc to induce cell‐autonomous apoptosis has been shown to be evolutionarily conserved in Drosophila Myc (dMyc). Here, we show that dMyc induced apoptosis is accompanied by the induction of Drosophila p53 mRNA, but that dp53 activity is not essential for dMyc's ability to induce apoptosis. Conversely, larvae carrying a hypomorphic dmyc mutation are more resistant to the apoptosis‐promoting effects of X‐irradiation. These data suggest that the control of apoptosis is a physiological function of Myc and that dMyc might play a role in the response to DNA damage. genesis 46:104–111, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.