Myc in model organisms: A view from the flyroom

The Myc transcription factor regulates fundamental processes in a cell's life: its growth, division, and survival. Myc is conserved throughout metazoan phyla, and its identification in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster has led to new insights in Myc's physiological roles. In this review, we describe recent research on the biology of Myc and its family members in Drosophila, paying particular attention to its role in the control of growth during development.