Advance online publication

Review

Article series: MYC

The role of supercoiling in transcriptional control of MYC and its importance in molecular therapeutics

Tracy A. Brooks & Laurence H. Hurley

Transcription–induced DNA supercoiling has dynamic effects on the MYC promoter element: it converts duplex DNA to non–duplex DNA structures. These non–duplex DNA structures regulate transcription and are amenable to small–molecule targeting. Does this represent another opportunity for the treatment of tumours?

Advance online publication

Perspective

Caspase 2 in apoptosis, the DNA damage response and tumour suppression: enigma no more?

Sharad Kumar

Recent evidence suggests that caspase 2 may have multiple roles in the response to DNA damage, cell cycle regulation and tumour suppression. These findings are unexpected and have important implications for our understanding of tumorigenesis and the treatment of cancer.

Current Issue

Review

NFAT proteins: emerging roles in cancer progression

Maria Mancini & Alex Toker

Although the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factors have been studied predominantly in the immune system, they are expressed in all tissues. This Review discusses the emerging roles of NFATs in cells that comprise the tumour and tumour microenvironment, and how this pathway might be targeted therapeutically.

Current issue

Review

Article series: RB and E2F

Emerging roles of E2Fs in cancer: an exit from cell cycle control

Hui–Zi Chen, Shih–Yin Tsai & Gustavo Leone

The E2F transcription factors function in cell cycle control and are intimately regulated by RB. However, some tumours have concurrent RB1 inactivation and E2F overexpression. Are there alternative tumour-promoting activities for the E2F family that are independent of cell cycle regulation?

Current Issue

Perspective

Focus: p53 — 30 years on

20 years studying p53 functions in genetically engineered mice

Lawrence A. Donehower & Guillermina Lozano

Understanding the activities of p53 in tumour suppression and in other processes has been substantially aided by the use of mouse models. How have these models evolved and what have they taught us about p53 and tumour suppression?

Current Issue

Review

Article series: Epigenetics and genetics

Polycomb group proteins: navigators of lineage pathways led astray in cancer

Adrian P. Bracken & Kristian Helin

The Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are transcriptional repressors that regulate lineage choices during development and differentiation and are often deregulated in cancer. How might they become deregulated and how does this contribute to tumorigenesis?