The paper
M. Conacci-Sorrell et al., “Myc-nick: a cytoplasmic cleavage product of Myc that promotes α-tubulin acetylation and cell differentiation,” Cell, 142:480-93, 2010. Free F1000 Evaluation
The finding
When Maralice Conacci-Sorrell joined Bob Eisenman’s lab at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, she started studying the transcription factor and major oncogene protein, Myc, and its role in cancer. But following up on an experimental anomaly, she discovered a new role for Myc in differentiation and cytoskeletal organization.
The antibody
Conacci-Sorrell was surprised to find a smaller version of the Myc protein on her Western blots. She noticed this protein present in the cell cytoplasm—which is strange because Myc should be confined to the nucleus. Despite doubts that her results were caused by a contamination, she continued to work on the protein as a side project and was able to demonstrate that the small Myc was a cleavage ...
