Proto-oncogenes are genes that when mutated can be involved in causing cancer. This research proposal addresses the function of the proto-oncogene Myb. An understanding of its normal activities should help to illuminate how the activated gene contributes to the genesis of neoplastic disease. This knowledge may also help to design strategies for the diagnosis or treatment of cancers in which myb has been implicated (e.g. leukemia, breast cancer, colon carcinoma). Myb genes encode DNA-binding proteins that regulate transcription, but the signal transduction pathway(s) in which Myb participates remain elusive. We identified and have been studying a Myb-related gene, Dm myb, in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, because it provides a powerful genetic and developmental system in which to dissect cellular and biochemical processes. We have generated both loss-of-function mutant alleles of Dm myb and transgenic lines that can be induced to ectopically express wild type and altered versions of the DMyb protein. Using these genetic tools, we have demonstrated that Dm myb functions to maintain the integrity of the genome. Specifically, it is required for progression into and through mitosis, suppression of endoreduplication, and maintenance of the appropriate number of centrosomes. In addition, ectopic expression of DMyb activity induces S-phase in diploid cells while suppressing S-phase in endocycling larval cells. This proposal is designed to further our understanding of the biochemical and cellular processes in which myb participates. We will perform experiments to: 1) identify genes that are physiologically relevant targets of transcriptional regulation by DMyb through a combination of molecular and genetic approaches; 2) gain further understanding of Dm myb function by characterizing its role in oogenesis/early embryogenesis, a setting in which we may be able to determine the primary defects caused by mutations in Dm myb; and 3) determine some of the mechanisms that govern the activity of the DMyb protein. Since all multicellular organisms face similar challenges during development of how to regulate cellular division and differentiation, the signal transduction pathways used for these purposes have been highly conserved during evolution. Therefore, insights gained from our studies in Drosophila should also enhance our understanding of Myb function in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation in vertebrates. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01GM068961-06A1
Application #
6688118
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-CDF-2 (02))
Program Officer
Zatz, Marion M
Project Start
1998-07-01
Project End
2007-05-31
Budget Start
2003-06-01
Budget End
2004-05-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$296,163
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois at Chicago
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
098987217
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612
Rovani, Margritte K; Brachmann, Carrie Baker; Ramsay, Gary et al. (2012) The dREAM/Myb-MuvB complex and Grim are key regulators of the programmed death of neural precursor cells at the Drosophila posterior wing margin. Dev Biol 372:88-102
Scaria, George S; Ramsay, Gary; Katzen, Alisa L (2008) Two components of the Myb complex, DMyb and Mip130, are specifically associated with euchromatin and degraded during prometaphase throughout development. Mech Dev 125:646-61
Reddy, Karen L; Rovani, Margritte K; Wohlwill, Arthur et al. (2006) The Drosophila Par domain protein I gene, Pdp1, is a regulator of larval growth, mitosis and endoreplication. Dev Biol 289:100-14
Kidd, Thomas; Abu-Shumays, Robin; Katzen, Alisa et al. (2005) The epsilon-subunit of mitochondrial ATP synthase is required for normal spindle orientation during the Drosophila embryonic divisions. Genetics 170:697-708
Fung, Siau-Min; Ramsay, Gary; Katzen, Alisa L (2003) MYB and CBP: physiological relevance of a biochemical interaction. Mech Dev 120:711-20