Figure 2.Speculative model illustrating regulation of senescence vs stemness and self-renewal by Myc and Cdk2.While
Myc is a suppressor of senescence together with Cdk2, it stimulates
stemness, self-renewal and immortalization, thereby potentially favor
tissue regeneration. This is accomplished by activation of hTERT and
Bmi1, and repression of p21 and p16, key genes also
implicated in regulating aging. The trade off for this capacity is
increased risk for cancer development.
