Exploring Myc puzzle: Insights into cancer, stem cell biology, and PPI networks.

• Myc family proteins, c-Myc, MYCN and MYCL can play oncogenic roles in several cancer types. • Myc is under extreme transcriptional control in normal cells because of its oncogenic face. • c-Myc influences many biological pathways in human body such as metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, cell adhesion and capping which proper identification of c-Myc in these pathways can help to new drug discoveries for Myc-dependent cancers. • Using Myc family proteins in stem cell biology is an emerging field. "The grand orchestrator," "Universal Amplifier," "double-edged sword," and "Undruggable" are just some of the Myc oncogene so-called names. It has been around 40 years since the discovery of the Myc, and it remains in the mainstream of cancer treatment drugs. Myc is part of basic helix–loop–helix leucine zipper (bHLH-LZ) superfamily proteins, and its dysregulation can be seen in many malignant human tumors. It dysregulates critical pathways in cells that are connected to each other, such as proliferation, growth, cell cycle, and cell adhesion, impacts miRNAs action, intercellular metabolism, DNA replication, differentiation, microenvironment regulation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Myc, surprisingly, is used in stem cell research too. Its family includes three members, MYC, MYCN, and MYCL, and each dysfunction was observed in different cancer types. This review aims to introduce Myc and its function in the body. Besides, Myc deregulatory mechanisms in cancer cells, their intricate aspects will be discussed. We will look at promising drugs and Myc-based therapies. Finally, Myc and its role in stemness, Myc pathways based on PPI network analysis, and future insights will be explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]