MYC and metabolism on the path to cancer

Annie L. Hsieh, Zandra E. Walton, Brian J. Altman, Zachary E. Stine, Chi V. Dang

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

150 Scopus citations

Abstract

The MYC proto-oncogene is frequently deregulated in human cancers, activating genetic programs that orchestrate biological processes to promote growth and proliferation. Altered metabolism characterized by heightened nutrients uptake, enhanced glycolysis and glutaminolysis and elevated fatty acid and nucleotide synthesis is the hallmark of MYC-driven cancer. Recent evidence strongly suggests that Myc-dependent metabolic reprogramming is critical for tumorigenesis, which could be attenuated by targeting specific metabolic pathways using small drug-like molecules. Understanding the complexity of MYC-mediated metabolic re-wiring in cancers as well as how MYC cooperates with other metabolic drivers such as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) will provide translational opportunities for cancer therapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11-21
Number of pages11
JournalSeminars in Cell and Developmental Biology
Volume43
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cancer
  • MTOR
  • Metabolism
  • Myc

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

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