Facilitating replication under stress: an oncogenic function of MYC?

Deregulated expression of MYC contributes to the genesis of multiple human tumours. The encoded protein, MYC, functions through the transcriptional regulation of large numbers of target genes. Recent publications show that MYC is closely involved in DNA replication and the checkpoint processes that monitor progress through the S phase, and suggest that limiting replication stress is a key function of this protein. These findings could have considerable implications for our understanding of how MYC transforms cells and which mechanisms protect normal cells from transformation by activated oncogenes.