c-Myc recruits P-TEFb for transcription, cellular proliferation and apoptosis

c-Myc promotes cellular proliferation, sensitizes cells to apoptosis and prevents differentiation. It binds cyclin T1 structurally and functionally from the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb). The cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (Cdk9) in P-TEFb then phosporylates the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II, which is required for the transition from initiation to elongation of eukaryotic transcription. Inhibiting P-TEFb blocks the transcription of its target genes as well as cellular proliferation and apoptosis induced by c-Myc.