Regulation of hematopoietic cell proliferation and differentiation by themyboncogene family of transcription factors

Themybfamily of genes include the virally encoded v-myboncogene, its normal cellular equivalent c-myband two related members called A-myband B-myb. They are all transcription factors that recognize the same DNA sequence (PyAACG/TG) and are all involved in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation in different cell types, including hematopoietic cells. C-mybis most highly expressed in hematopoietic cells and its oncogenic activation leads to transformation of these cells. Several lines of evidence have demonstrated that c-mybregulates both the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells of different lineages. The mechanisms of action of c-myband v-mybare becoming clearer, mostly through the study of the different genes that are regulated by these transcription factors and the cofactors with which c-myband v-mybco-operate. More recently the biological and biochemical functions of the B-myband A-mybgene products have been investigated. Evidence for the function of the different members of themybfamily in relation to hematopoietic proliferation and differentiation is presented, and the different roles of themybgenes are discussed.