v-myc myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog 1, lung carcinoma derived Adenovirus

The Myc family represents nuclear transcription factors that contribute significantly to cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and transformation. The myc famliy of cellular oncogenes includes c-Myc, N-Myc, L-Myc, S-Myc and B-Myc. Members of this gene family activate transcription as part of a heteromeric complex with a number of interacting partners, including members of the Max and Mad families. The Myc-Max heterodimers directly upregulate gene expression through specific binding to the sequence CACGTG. Alternatively, c-Myc mediates gene repression by inhibiting the DNA binding protein Miz-1, which functions to inhibit cell growth. Mnt and Mlx regulate Myc activity by forming heterodimers with Max or Mad, respectively, to suppress Myc-induced transcriptional activation.