c-Myc activates BRCA1 gene expression through distal promoter elements in breast cancer cells
2011

c-Myc Activates BRCA1 Gene Expression in Breast Cancer Cells

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Chen Yinghua, Xu Jinhua, Borowicz Stanley, Collins Cindy, Huo Dezheng, Olopade Olufunmilayo I

Primary Institution: University of Chicago

Hypothesis

Does c-Myc regulate BRCA1 expression through distal promoter elements in breast cancer cells?

Conclusion

c-Myc activates BRCA1 expression through specific E boxes in the distal BRCA1 promoter region.

Supporting Evidence

  • Depletion of c-Myc reduced BRCA1 mRNA and protein levels.
  • Ectopic expression of c-Myc increased BRCA1 promoter activity.
  • c-Myc bound to E boxes in the BRCA1 promoter in vivo.
  • Nucleotide substitutions in E boxes abrogated c-Myc-dependent activation.
  • Reduced BRCA1 expression due to c-Myc depletion impaired DNA repair activity.

Takeaway

c-Myc helps a gene called BRCA1 work better, which is important for fixing DNA in breast cancer cells.

Methodology

The study used cultured breast cancer cells, siRNA to deplete c-Myc, and various assays to measure BRCA1 expression and activity.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-11-246

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