Fig. 6

Model of potential role of ALKBH3 in cancer. A normal cell might alter in a way that results in increased gene expression (for example, via upregulation of ETS transcription factors [36] (Additional file 1: Figure S2b)) and therewith increases the proliferative capacity of the cell. The increased transcription level elevates the global amount of accessible ssDNA, which is attacked by DNA damaging agents. Uncontrolled this leads to accumulation of DNA damage and apoptosis. After upregulation of ALKBH3 for example due to binding of ETS factors to the ALKBH3 promoter (Additional file 1: Figure S2d) and its potential transition to a hyperactive promoter (Fig. 1f, left panel) the DNA damage might become under control and the cells can continuously sustain a high proliferation rate