RESEARCH

摘要

Many cancer cells carry extra copies of chromosomal region 8q24.21, encompassing the MYC oncogene. Anindya Bagchi and colleagues have now investigated the role of a nearby long non-coding RNA gene, PVT1, that tends to be co-amplified. They show in engineered mouse models that PVT1 overexpression contributes to high MYC protein levels owing to 8q24.21 amplifications and to MYC-driven tumorigenesis. MYC and PVT1 levels also correlate in human tumours, suggesting a similar cooperation. The authors suggest that targeting PVT1 may offer an alternative therapeutic strategy.