Myc proteins are multifunctional, as they play a role in cell cycle progression, apoptosis and cellular transformation process. Myc proteins act as a universal upregulator of gene expression, except early genes in cells. Deregulated Myc proteins lead to unregulated expression of many genes that results for transforming normal cell to cancer cell. Thus, Myc proteins are strongly considered as a promising target for anti-cancer drugs. These proteins belong to Myc family of transcription factors and contain a basic helix-loop-helix structural and leucine zipper motifs. These motifs play important role in Myc interactions with DNA and other transcription factors. Myc proteins act both as a transcription factor and transcriptional repressor and play direct role in the control of DNA replication process. Myc activates upon various mitogenic signals such as serum stimulation or by Wnt, Shh and EGF pathways. Malfunction in Myc proteins have been found in carcinoma of the cervix, colon, breast, lung and stomach.
Research Focus
My research project is focused on structure-function studies of the Myc oncoproteins. I am interested on studying their interactions and how they are regulating various cellular processes.
Crystal Structure of Myc and Max in complex with DNA (Protein data bank Ids are list as 1A93, 1EE4, 1MVO, 1NKP, 2A93, 2OR9 and 4Y7R)