c-MYC messenger RNA 3′ untranslated region poly-uridine elements (c-MYC mRNA 3′ UTR poly-U elements)

The c-MYC messenger RNA 3′ untranslated region (UTR) contains specific poly-uridine (poly-U) or U-rich elements that serve as critical regulatory hubs for gene expression. These elements, often categorized as adenylate-uridylate-rich elements (AREs), are recognized by various RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) such as HuR (ELAVL1) and AUF1, which dictate the stability and translational efficiency of the c-MYC transcript (PubMed: 10487760). In healthy cells, these elements ensure the rapid turnover of c-MYC mRNA, preventing the overproduction of the MYC transcription factor, which is a potent driver of cell proliferation and survival. However, in many cancers, the regulation of these elements is subverted, leading to the stabilization of c-MYC mRNA and subsequent oncogenic protein overexpression (Nature Reviews Cancer, 2012). Targeting these poly-U elements or their associated RBPs represents a therapeutic strategy to downregulate MYC in tumors where it is otherwise considered undruggable at the protein level. Experimental approaches include small molecules that disrupt RNA-protein complexes and antisense oligonucleotides designed to block these regulatory sites (Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2014). Successfully modulating these elements can induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in MYC-dependent cancer cells.

Other names

MYC 3′ UTR U-rich elementsc-MYC mRNA 3′ UTR adenylate-uridylate-rich elementsMYC 3′ UTR AREsc-MYC mRNA stability elements

Modulation of mRNA degradation rate, inhibition of protein translation, and disruption of RNA-binding protein (RBP) interactions to reduce oncogenic protein expression.