What is myc?

The myc protein acts as a transcription factor and it controls the expression of several genes. Mutations in the myc gene have been found in many different cancers, including Burkitt's lymphoma, B-cell leukemia, and lung cancer. The amount of myc protein present in the cell is important because the activity of myc is balanced by another protein that opposes myc activity. Therefore, an increase in either protein will offset the balance and affect cell division.