Molecular Mechanisms of MYCN Dysregulation in Cancers
Ruochen Liu, Pengfei Shi, Zhongze Wang, Chaoyu Yuan, Hongjuan Cui
Abstract
MYCN , a member of MYC proto-oncogene family, encodes a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor N-MYC. Abnormal expression of N-MYC is correlated with high-risk cancers and poor prognosis. Initially identified as an amplified oncogene in neuroblastoma in 1983, the oncogenic effect of N-MYC is expanded to multiple neuronal and nonneuronal tumors. Direct targeting N-MYC remains challenge due to its “undruggable” features. Therefore, alternative therapeutic approaches for targeting MYCN -driven tumors have been focused on the disruption of transcription, translation, protein stability as well as synthetic lethality of MYCN . In this review, we summarize the latest advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of MYCN dysregulation in cancers.