Circadian Gene Controls Tumorigenesis through Modulation of Myc Accumulation in Glioblastoma Cells.

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most frequent malignant brain tumor among adults and currently there is no effective treatment. This aggressive tumor grows fast and spreads through the brain causing death in 15 months. GB cells display a high mutation rate and generate a heterogeneous population of tumoral cells that are genetically distinct. Thus, the contribution of genes and signaling pathways relevant for GB progression is of great relevance. We used a model of GB that reproduces the features of human GB and describe the upregulation of the circadian gene in GB patients and in a GB model. We studied the contribution of to the expansion of GB cells and the neurodegeneration and premature death caused by GB, and we determined that is required for GB progression. Moreover, we determined that the PI3K pathway regulates expression in GB cells, and in turn, is necessary and sufficient to promote Myc accumulation in GB. These results contribute to understanding the mechanisms underlying GB malignancy and lethality, and describe a novel role of Cry in GB cells.