Molecular Oncology

Research report (imported) 2004 - Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry

Authors
Hermeking, Heiko
Departments
Molekulare Onkologie (Hermeking, MPG) (Dr. Heiko Hermeking)
MPI für Biochemie, Martinsried
Summary
The aim of our group is to understand the function and regulation of the transcription factors p53 and c-MYC, as well as the processes and genes which they regulate. c-MYC and p53 are genes which are altered in more than 50% of all cancers. The tumorsuppressor gene product p53 is activated after DNA damage and induces genes, as 14-3-3sigma, which mediate cell cycle inhibition. p53 is an integral part of the program of cellular senescence. In contrast, activation of the c-MYC oncogene leads to immortalization. How this function of c-MYC is achieved is a focus of our studies. In addition, we are identifying and characterizing genetic and epigenetic alterations which contribute to prostate cancer and malignant melanoma. For these projects we are using novel proteomic and genomic approaches.

For the full text, see the German version.

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