[HTML][HTML] STK38 is a critical upstream regulator of MYC's oncogenic activity in human B-cell lymphoma

BC Bisikirska, SJ Adam, MJ Alvarez, P Rajbhandari… - Oncogene, 2013 - nature.com
BC Bisikirska, SJ Adam, MJ Alvarez, P Rajbhandari, R Cox, C Lefebvre, K Wang
Oncogene, 2013nature.com
The MYC protooncogene is associated with the pathogenesis of most human neoplasia.
Conversely, its experimental inactivation elicits oncogene addiction. Besides constituting a
formidable therapeutic target, MYC also has an essential function in normal physiology, thus
creating the need for context-specific targeting strategies. The analysis of post-translational
MYC activity modulation yields novel targets for MYC inactivation. Specifically, following
regulatory network analysis in human B-cells, we identify a novel role of the STK38 kinase …
Abstract
The MYC protooncogene is associated with the pathogenesis of most human neoplasia. Conversely, its experimental inactivation elicits oncogene addiction. Besides constituting a formidable therapeutic target, MYC also has an essential function in normal physiology, thus creating the need for context-specific targeting strategies. The analysis of post-translational MYC activity modulation yields novel targets for MYC inactivation. Specifically, following regulatory network analysis in human B-cells, we identify a novel role of the STK38 kinase as a regulator of MYC activity and a candidate target for abrogating tumorigenesis in MYC-addicted lymphoma. We found that STK38 regulates MYC protein stability and turnover in a kinase activity-dependent manner. STK38 kinase inactivation abrogates apoptosis following B-cell receptor activation, whereas its silencing significantly decreases MYC levels and increases apoptosis. Moreover, STK38 knockdown suppresses growth of MYC-addicted tumors in vivo, thus providing a novel viable target for treating these malignancies.
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