Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Molecular mechanisms underlying RB protein function

2013; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 14; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/nrm3567

1471-0080

Frederick A. Dick, Seth M. Rubin,

Ubiquitin and proteasome pathways

Recent work on the structure and function of the RB protein revealed its multifunctionality in cancer and during normal physiology. Remarkably, additional tumour-suppressor functions have come to light, including new roles in cell cycle regulation, maintenance of genome stability and apoptosis. Inactivation of the RB protein is one of the most fundamental events in cancer. Coming to a molecular understanding of its function in normal cells and how it impedes cancer development has been challenging. Historically, the ability of RB to regulate the cell cycle placed it in a central role in proliferative control, and research focused on RB regulation of the E2F family of transcription factors. Remarkably, several recent studies have found additional tumour-suppressor functions of RB, including alternative roles in the cell cycle, maintenance of genome stability and apoptosis. These advances and new structural studies are combining to define the multifunctionality of RB.