AUTHOR=Liu Ruochen , Shi Pengfei , Wang Zhongze , Yuan Chaoyu , Cui Hongjuan 

TITLE=Molecular Mechanisms of MYCN Dysregulation in Cancers

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2020.625332

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2020.625332

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>MYCN</italic>, a member of <italic>MYC</italic> proto-oncogene family, encodes a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor N-MYC. Abnormal expression of N-MYC is correlated with high-risk cancers and poor prognosis. Initially identified as an amplified oncogene in neuroblastoma in 1983, the oncogenic effect of N-MYC is expanded to multiple neuronal and nonneuronal tumors. Direct targeting N-MYC remains challenge due to its “undruggable” features. Therefore, alternative therapeutic approaches for targeting <italic>MYCN</italic>-driven tumors have been focused on the disruption of transcription, translation, protein stability as well as synthetic lethality of <italic>MYCN</italic>. In this review, we summarize the latest advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of <italic>MYCN</italic> dysregulation in cancers.</p>