Background information
The Myc family, including c-Myc-, N-Myc- and L-Myc, are nuclear proteins with relatively short half lives that contribute an important role in cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and transformation. The c-Myc protein activates transcription as part of a heteromeric complex with a number of interacting partners, including Max and Mxi 1; however the transforming properties of the Myc proto-oncogene are believed to be associated with Myc-mediated transcriptional repression. A POZ domain Zn finger protein, designated Miz-1 for Myc-interacting Zn finger protein-1, is a specific target of Myc-induced gene repression. Miz-1 interacts with Myc, but not Max or other Myc partners, and binding of Myc to Miz-1 requires the helix-loop-helix domain of Myc and a short amphipathic helix located in the carboxy-terminus of Miz-1. Miz-1 associates with DNA elements on the adenovirus major late and cyclin D1 promoters and activates transcription of both promoters. Expression of Miz-1 induces potent growth arrest function, and this latency is reversed by the addition of Myc.
