# ANALYSIS OF THE CELLULAR ONCOGENE PROTO-MYB

> **NIH NIH R01** · ELITECHGROUP, INC. · 1987 · $113,308

## Abstract

A host origin for retroviral oncogenes is implied by the discovery that
vertebrate DNA contains highly conserved genes ("proto-oncogenes") that are
homologous to retroviral oncogenes.  The similarity between viral oncogenes
and proto-oncogenes implies a normal role for proto-oncogenes in cell
growth and/or differentiation.  Our long-term goal is to elucidate the
presumptive roles of proto-oncogenes as cancer genes and as regulators of
normal cell growth.  To that effect, we have conducted studies focused
primarily on the expression of proto-myb, a proto-oncogene that corresponds
to the transforming gene of the avian myeloblastosis virus.

In current studies with mice, we have shown that proto-myb expression is
confined exclusively to cells in early stages of differentiation in the
hemopoietic lineages and that the highest level of proto-myb mRNA observed
was that seen in the thymus.  In other experiments, we have ruled out any
correlation between expression of several proto-oncogenes and thymic
involution.  Preliminary results with cultured cells suggest furthermore
that proto-myh mRNA levels are not dependent on the proliferative state of
the cells.

At present, our efforts are directed primarily towards cloning and
characterizing the mouse proto-myb gene.  By screening a library of mouse
DNA in phage lambda, we have obtained clones of genome DNA that evidently
contain the 5' end of the proto-myb gene.  We have also isolated a cDNA
clone containing 2.5 kb of sequence, most of which extends 3' of the cloned
genome DNA.  By restriction mapping, we have estimated a size of 40 Kb for
the mouse proto-myb gene.  Selected portions of the cloned DNAs are
currently being sequenced.  Additional efforts are underway to clone the
remainder of the proto-myb gene and to study proto-myb expression
thymocytes exposed to mitogens and hormones.  (P)

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3170071
- **Project number:** 5R01CA031995-07
- **Recipient organization:** ELITECHGROUP, INC.
- **SAM.gov UEI:** EJXGLTLWNC61
- **Principal Investigator:** DIANA K SHEINESS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $113,308
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1987-01-03 → 1988-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3170071

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3170071, ANALYSIS OF THE CELLULAR ONCOGENE PROTO-MYB (5R01CA031995-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3170071. Licensed CC0.

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