Skin epidermis lacking the c-myc gene is resistant to Ras-driven tumorigenesis but can reacquire sensitivity upon additional loss of the p21Cip1 gene
The target gene(s) required for Myc-mediated tumorigenesis are still elusive. Here we show that while endogenous c-Myc is surprisingly dispensable for skin homeostasis and TPA-induced hyperplasia, c-Myc-deficient epidermis is resistant to Ras-mediated DMBA/TPAinduced tumorigenesis. This is mechanistically linked to p21(Cip1), which is induced in tumors by the activated Ras-ERK pathway but repressed by c-Myc. Acute elimination of c-Myc in established tumors leads to the up-regulation of p21(Cip1), and epidermis lacking both p21(Cip1) and c-Myc reacquires normal sensitivity to DMBA/TPA-induced tumorigenesis. This identifies c-Myc-mediated repression of p21(Cip1) as a key step for Ras-driven epidermal tumorigenesis.
WOS:000239504500008
2006
20
15
2024
9
Genetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC) Ch. des Boveresses 155, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
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