A deficiency in Mdm2 binding protein (MTBP) inhibits Myc-induced B cell proliferation and lymphomagenesis

Mdm2 binding protein (MTBP) has been implicated in cell cycle arrest and the Mdm2-p53 tumor suppressor pathway through its interaction with Mdm2. To determine the function of MTBP in tumorigenesis and its potential role in the Mdm2-p53 pathway, we crossed Mtbp deficient mice to Eµ-myc transgenic mice, in which overexpression of the oncogene c-Myc induces B cell lymphomas primarily through inactivation of the Mdm2-p53 pathway. We report that Myc-induced B cell lymphoma development in Mtbp heterozygous mice was profoundly delayed. Surprisingly, reduced levels of Mtbp did not lead to an increase in B cell apoptosis or affect Mdm2. Instead, an Mtbp deficiency inhibited Myc-induced proliferation and the upregulation of Myc target genes necessary for cell growth. Consistent with a role in proliferation, Mtbp expression was induced by Myc and other factors that promote cell cycle progression and was elevated in lymphomas from humans and mice. Therefore, Mtbp functioned independent of Mdm2 and was a limiting factor for the proliferative and transforming functions of Myc. Thus, Mtbp is a previously unrecognized regulator of Myc-induced tumorigenesis.