Induction of cyclin E-cdk2 kinase activity, E2F-dependent transcription and cell growth by Myc are genetically separable events

Abstract

The c‐ myc gene has been implicated in three distinct genetic programs regulating cell proliferation: control of cyclin E–cdk2 kinase activity, E2F‐dependent transcription and cell growth. We have now used p27−/− fibroblasts to dissect these downstream signalling pathways. In these cells, activation of Myc stimulates transcription of E2F target genes, S‐phase entry and cell growth without affecting cyclin E–cdk2 kinase activity. Both cyclin D2 and E2F2, potential direct target genes of Myc, are induced in p27−/− MycER cells. Ectopic expression of E2F2, but not of cyclin D2, induces S‐phase entry, but, in contrast to Myc, does not stimulate cell growth. Our results show that stimulation of cyclin E–cdk2 kinase, of E2F‐dependent transcription and of cell growth by Myc can be genetically separated from each other.