MYC regulation of cell growth through control of transcription by RNA polymerases I and III.

MYC's tumorigenic potential involves increased ribosome biogenesis and translational capacity, which supply the cell with protein required for enhanced cell growth and subsequent cell division. In addition to activation of protein-encoding genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II, MYC must stimulate transcription by RNA polymerase I and RNA polymerase III to meet this synthetic demand. In the past decade our knowledge of the mechanisms and importance of MYC regulation of RNA polymerases I and III has flourished. Here we discuss MYC's influence on transcription by these "odd" RNA polymerases and the physiological impact of this regulation is evaluated with relevance to cancer development and treatment.