TRAPS TO CATCH UNWARY ONCOGENES

The MYC proto-oncogene has long been implicated in the control of norm al cell growth and its deregulation is associated with the development of neoplasia. The MYC protein has a well-established role as a compon ent of signal-transduction pathways promoting both proliferation and a poptosis. Because signalling pathways that drive cell death and cell p roliferation are so tightly coupled, a synergy between genetic lesions leading to suppression of cell death and those promoting cell prolife ration is observed during carcinogenesis. We discuss such synergy with respect to the cooperating oncogenes MYC, RAS and BCL2.