E2F1 Stability Research Articles

Arginine methylation controls growth regulation by E2F-1

E2F transcription factors are implicated in diverse cellular functions. The founding member, E2F-1, is endowed with contradictory activities, being able to promote cell-cycle progression and induce apoptosis. However, the mechanisms that underlie the opposing outcomes of E2F-1 activation remain largely unknown. We show here that E2F-1 is directly methylated by PRMT5 (protein arginine methyltransferase 5), and that arginine methylation is responsible for regulating its biochemical and functional properties, which impacts on E2F-1-dependent growth control. Thus, depleting PRMT5 causes increased E2F-1 protein levels, which coincides with decreased growth rate and associated apoptosis. Arginine methylation influences E2F-1 protein stability, and the enhanced transcription of a variety of downstream target genes reflects increased E2F-1 DNA-binding activity. Importantly, E2F-1 is methylated in tumour cells, and a reduced level of methylation is evident under DNA damage conditions that allow E2F-1 stabilization and give rise to apoptosis. Significantly, in a subgroup of colorectal cancer, high levels of PRMT5 frequently coincide with low levels of E2F-1 and reflect a poor clinical outcome. Our results establish that arginine methylation regulates the biological activity of E2F-1 activity, and raise the possibility that arginine methylation contributes to tumourigenesis by influencing the E2F pathway.

Transcriptional and Nontranscriptional Functions of E2F1 in Response to DNA Damage

E2F is a family of transcription factors that regulate the expression of genes involved in a wide range of cellular processes, including cell-cycle progression, DNA replication, DNA repair, differentiation, and apoptosis. E2F1, the founding member of the family, undergoes posttranslational modifications in response to DNA damage, resulting in E2F1 stabilization. In some cases, E2F1 is important for DNA damage-induced apoptosis through the transcriptional activation of p73 and perhaps other proapoptotic target genes. However, in other contexts, E2F1 can stimulate DNA repair and promote survival in response to DNA damage. The E2F1 protein accumulates at sites of both DNA double-strand breaks and UV radiation-induced damage, indicating that E2F1 has a nontranscriptional function at sites of damage. This review summarizes recent progress made in understanding the role of E2F1 in the DNA damage response, including transcription-independent activities that facilitate DNA repair in the context of chromatin.

Abstract 5002: Posttranslational modification of E2F1 during melanoma progression

Abstract Melanoma, the malignant tumor of melanocytes, accounts for approximately 78% of skin cancer related deaths. No current treatment significantly enhances disease-free survival once distant metastases have established. To facilitate the development of effective treatment strategies, it is imperative that we obtain a better understanding of the biology of melanoma cells as they progress through the various stages of disease. Previous studies have shown that E2F1, a transcription factor, is over-expressed in melanoma cells. Interaction between E2Fs and tumor suppressor, Rb is essential for regulation of cell cycle progression. E2F1 is known to be involved in other important biological processes, including DNA damage, DNA repair, differentiation, development, autophagy and apoptosis. However, the mechanism through which E2F1 is elevated in melanoma remains unknown. In normal cells in late S phase, E2F1 is recognized by the E3 ligase p45 SKP2, undergoes ubiquitination and is finally degraded in 26S proteasome. Since multiple post-translational modifications have been reported to affect the stability and functions of E2F1, we have hypothesized that during melanoma progression E2F1 fails to undergo degradation and this failure is due to post-translational modification of E2F1. In this study we have used melanoma cells of increasing disease progression. Our results show that primary melanoma cells have high level of E2F1 message and protein. We also found that E2F1 protein levels are not tightly regulated during cell cycle progression. Levels of E2F1 remain constantly high during cell cycle progression in the less metastatic melanoma cells. Consistent with these results, phosphorylation of E2F1 at Serine 337 is almost unchanged during cell cycle progression in the less metastatic melanoma cells. These results taken together suggest that this post-translational modification site may play an important role in stabilization of E2F1 in the primary melanoma cells that represent the radial and vertical growth phases of melanoma. Since modifications usually induce conformational changes, which may affect any following modifications, it is necessary to study the crosstalk among different modifications like acetylation and phosphorylation. The modifications towards the same direction may generate a specific array of modifications that can induce markedly stronger functional effects compared with those produced by the sum of single modifications. Therefore, it is intriguing to detect the coordination of different modifications and determine if there is such a modification array that regulates the stabilization and degradation of E2F1 resulting in the elevated E2F1 levels in melanoma cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5002. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5002

Methylation-mediated regulation of E2F1 in DNA damage-induced cell death

E2F1 promotes DNA damage-induced apoptosis and the post-translational modifications of E2F1 play an important role in the regulation of E2F1-mediated cell death. Here, we found that Set9 and LSD1 regulate E2F1-mediated apoptosis upon DNA damage. Set9 methylates E2F1 at lysine 185, a conserved residue in the DNA-binding domain of E2F family proteins. The methylation of E2F1 by Set9 leads to the stabilization of E2F1 and up-regulation of its proapoptotic target genes p73 and Bim, and thereby induces E2F1-mediated apoptosis in response to genotoxic agents. We also found that LSD1 demethylates E2F1 at lysine 185 and reduces E2F1-mediated cell death. The identification of the methylation/demethylation of E2F1 by Set9/LSD1 suggests that E2F1 is dynamically regulated by epigenetic enzymes in response to DNA damage.

APC/CCdc20 targets E2F1 for degradation in prometaphase

The mechanisms that control E2F-1 activity are complex. We previously showed that Chk1 and Chk2 are required for E2F1 stabilization and p73 target gene induction following DNA damage. To gain further insight into the processes regulating E2F1 protein stability, we focused our investigation on the mechanisms responsible for regulating E2F1 turnover. Here we show that E2F1 is a substrate of the anaphase promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C), a ubiquitin ligase that plays an important role in cell cycle progression. Ectopic expression of the APC/C activators Cdh1 and Cdc20 reduced the levels of co-expressed E2F-1 protein. Co-expression of DP1 with E2F1 blocked APC/C-induced E2F1 degradation, suggesting that the E2F1/DP1 heterodimer is protected from APC/C regulation. Following Cdc20 knockdown, E2F1 levels increased and remained stable in extracts over a time course, indicating that APC/CCdc20 is a primary regulator of E2F1 stability in vivo. Moreover, cell synchronization experiments showed that siRNA directed against Cdc20 induced an accumulation of E2F1 protein in prometaphase cells. These data suggest that APC/CCdc20 specifically targets E2F1 for degradation in early mitosis and reveal a novel mechanism for limiting free E2F1 levels in cells, failure of which may compromise cell survival and/or homeostasis.

Translating DNA damage into cancer cell death—A roadmap for E2F1 apoptotic signalling and opportunities for new drug combinations to overcome chemoresistance

The cellular transcription factor E2F1 has been identified as a tumor suppressor regulating the activities of p53 and its homologue TAp73, and promoting apoptosis by the activation of a plethora of death pathways. More than 15 years of experimentation recognized E2F1 as the key player in apoptosis induced by DNA damage in all types of human cancer. This occurs by several mechanisms that affect RB-E2F1 interaction, E2F1 stability and its binding to promoters of E2F1-regulated genes. Recent progress has been made in revealing new proapoptotic genes regulated by E2F1 and it seems that many still remain to be discovered. However, whereas in the past one focused mainly on identifying E2F1 target genes translating cellular stress signals into cell death, today the DNA damage-induced regulatory network governing E2F1's ability to induce apoptosis is rapidly gaining attention as well. Notably, the lately uncovered role of pRB and E2F3 in triggering E2F1-dependent apoptosis through chemotherapy gains our understanding of the DNA damage response in normal and tumor cells. In this context a large body of evidence indicates that nuclear cofactors targeting E2F1 seem to have a major impact on its tumor suppressor function. These new findings are discussed in the context of preclinical studies applying E2F1 overexpression in combination with genotoxic anticancer agents - called chemogene therapy, thereby providing new mechanistic links between the E2F1-induced apoptotic programming and advanced cancer phenotype.

Lysine Methylation Regulates E2F1-Induced Cell Death

Histone-modifying enzymes can regulate DNA damage-induced apoptosis through modulation of p53 function. Here, we show that, in p53-deficient tumor cells, Set9 and LSD1 regulate DNA damage-induced cell death in a manner opposite to that observed in p53(+/+) cells, via modulation of E2F1 stabilization. Set9 methylates E2F1 at lysine-185, which prevents E2F1 accumulation during DNA damage and activation of its proapoptotic target gene p73. This methyl mark is removed by LSD1, which is required for E2F1 stabilization and apoptotic function. The molecular mechanism involves crosstalks between lysine methylation and other covalent modifications that affect E2F1 stability. Methylation at lysine-185 inhibits acetylation and phosphorylation at distant positions and, in parallel, stimulates ubiquitination and degradation of the protein. The findings illustrate that the function of methyltransferases can have opposing biological outcomes depending on the specificity of transcription factor targets.

14-3-3Tau regulates Beclin 1 and is required for autophagy.

BackgroundBeclin 1 plays an essential role in autophagy; however, the regulation of Beclin 1 expression remains largely unexplored. An earlier ChIP-on-chip study suggested Beclin 1 could be an E2F target. Previously, we also reported that 14-3-3τ regulates E2F1 stability, and is required for the expression of several E2F1 target genes. 14-3-3 proteins mediate many cellular signaling processes, but its role in autophagy has not been investigated. We hypothesize that 14-3-3τ could regulate Beclin 1 expression through E2F1 and thus regulate autophagy.Methods and FindingsUsing the RNAi technique we demonstrate a novel role for one of 14-3-3 isoforms, 14-3-3τ, in the regulation of Beclin 1 expression and autophagy. Depletion of 14-3-3τ inhibits the expression of Beclin 1 in many different cell lines; whereas, upregulation of 14-3-3τ induces Beclin 1. The regulation is physiologically relevant as an extracellular matrix protein tenascin-C, a known 14-3-3τ inducer, can induce Beclin 1 through 14-3-3τ. Moreover, rapamycin-induced, serum free-induced and amino acid starvation-induced autophagy depends on 14-3-3τ. We also show the expression of Beclin 1 depends on E2F, and E2F can transactivate the Beclin 1 promoter in a promoter reporter assay. Upregulation of Beclin 1 by 14-3-3τ requires E2F1. Depletion of E2F1, like 14-3-3τ, also inhibits autophagy.ConclusionTaken together, this study uncovers a role for 14-3-3τ in Beclin 1 and autophagy regulation probably through regulation of E2F1.

Abstract 3872: The role and regulation of C/EBPalpha in the DNA damage-induced G1 checkpoint

Abstract The ability of cells to correctly respond to DNA damage is a vital step in maintaining genome stability and suppressing tumorigenesis. The C/EBP family of transcription factors is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, growth arrest, differentiation, inflammation, senescence and energy metabolism in a range of cell types. Previously, we have shown that C/EBPα is highly inducible by DNA damage through a p53-dependent mechanism and has a novel role in the DNA damage G1 checkpoint. Furthermore, cells deficient in C/EBPα display an impaired G1 checkpoint and inappropriate entry into S-phase following DNA damage; suggesting loss of C/EBPα could result in genome/checkpoint instability. While it is known that C/EBPα has a critical role in the DNA damage-induced G1 checkpoint, the molecular mechanism through which it regulates the DNA damage G1 checkpoint is unknown. Moreover, it is not known whether C/EBPα itself is regulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs) downstream of DNA damage. We report that C/EBPα undergoes PTMs involving phosphorylation in response to UVB-induced DNA damage. These modifications are in part dependent of the activity of the DNA damage checkpoint kinase Chk1 and occur in both cultured mouse keratinocytes and in vivo mouse epidermis that have been exposed to UVB. Co-immunoprecipitation studies revealed that C/EBPα forms a complex with E2F1 and this interaction is increased following UVB-induced DNA damage. We observed that ectopic expression of C/EBPα in keratinocytes inhibits E2F1 transcriptional activity. These findings indicate that C/EBPα can function downstream of DNA damage to regulate E2F1and induce a cell cycle arrest independent of C/EBPα transcriptional activity. Additionally, we observe that C/EBPα functions in the canonical DNA damage-induced G1 checkpoint response through regulation of the CDK inhibitor p21. Ablation of C/EBPα in primary mouse keratinocytes or in vivo mouse epidermis results in severely impaired induction of p21 in response to DNA damage. Furthermore, we show that the diminished p21 protein levels in C/EBPα deficient mice following exposure to UVB occur without any changes in p21 mRNA levels. We propose that C/EBPα is required to stabilize p21 in response to DNA damage; enabling p21 to accumulate to levels necessary to elicit the DNA damage G1 checkpoint response. In conclusion, we report that C/EBPα undergoes post-translational modifications downstream of DNA damage and has a multi-faceted role in the DNA damage-induced G1 checkpoint response. We propose C/EBPα inhibits cell cycle progression in response to DNA damage through suppression of E2F1 transcriptional activity and stabilization of the CDK inhibitor p21 protein. This study describes a novel mechanism for the function and regulation of C/EBPα in the DNA damage-induced G1 checkpoint. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3872.

Regulation of XIAP Translation and Induction by MDM2 following Irradiation

Increases in protein levels of XIAP in cancer cells have been associated with resistance to apoptosis induced by cellular stress. Herein we demonstrate that the upregulation of XIAP protein levels is regulated by MDM2 at the translational level. MDM2 was found to physically interact with the IRES of the XIAP 5'-UTR, and to positively regulate XIAP IRES activity. This XIAP IRES-dependent translation was significantly increased in MDM2-transfected cells where MDM2 accumulated in the cytoplasm. Cellular stress and DNA damage triggered by irradiation induced the dephosphorylation and cytoplasmic localization of MDM2, which also led to an increase in IRES-dependent XIAP translation. Upregulation of XIAP in MDM2-overexpressing cancer cells in response to irradiation resulted in resistance of these cells to radiation-induced apoptosis.

AZ703, an Imidazo[1,2-a]Pyridine Inhibitor of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases 1 and 2, Induces E2F-1-Dependent Apoptosis Enhanced by Depletion of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9

Preclinical studies were performed of a novel selective imidazopyridine cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitor, AZ703. In vitro kinase assays showed that IC50 values for AZ703 against purified cyclin E/cdk2 and cyclin B/cdk1 were 34 and 29 nmol/L, respectively. In contrast, the IC50 against cdk4 was 10 micromol/L. AZ703 also inhibited cdk7 and cdk9 with IC50 values of 2.1 micromol/L and 521 nmol/L, respectively. Treatment of U2OS, NCI-H1299, and A549 cells for 24 hours resulted in growth arrest involving multiple cell cycle phases. At low drug concentrations (< 2 micromol/L), G2 arrest predominated, whereas at higher concentrations (> or = 2 micromol/L), S-G2 arrest was observed. When cells were synchronized in G1 by starvation and released into AZ703, a block in G1 occurred that was not evident in exponentially growing cells. Cell cycle arrest was associated with reduced phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein and p27(Kip1) at cdk2 phospho-sites. Following longer exposures, apoptosis was evident. Cells were further sensitized to AZ703 following recruitment to S phase by synchronization. Consistent with the inhibition of cdks during S and G2 that modulate the activity and stability of E2F-1, AZ703 treatment induced E2F-1 expression. In U2OS and NCI-H1299 cells engineered to inducibly express the dominant-negative mutant E2F-1 (1-374), expression of the mutant decreased AZ703-mediated apoptosis, indicating dependence on E2F-1 transcriptional targets. AZ703-induced apoptosis in NCI-H1299 cells was enhanced by small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of cdk9, which caused reduced levels of Mcl-1 and XIAP, suggesting that cdk2, cdk1, and cdk9 represent a rational subset of family members for drug targeting.

Novel MDM2 p53‐Independent Functions Identified through RNA Silencing Technologies

The MDM2 oncogene has an important role in human carcinogenesis and has been suggested as a novel target for cancer therapy. Many published in vitro and in vivo investigations have demonstrated that various MDM2 inhibitors including antisense oligonucleotides, siRNA, and small molecule MDM2 inhibitors have antitumor activity in in vitro and in vivo human cancer models, used alone or in combination with cancer chemotherapeutics and radiation therapy. For example, the mixed backbone antisense oligonucleotide developed in our laboratory specifically inhibited MDM2 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner, resulting in significant antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, the antisense MDM2 inhibitors have a broad spectrum of antitumor activities in human cancers, regardless of p53 status. These results prompted new investigations into the p53-independent functions of MDM2. This article summarizes the biochemical and molecular studies of the role of MDM2 in the regulation of p21 and E2F1 expression, stability and function, providing evidence for the utility of RNA-silencing technologies, including antisense oligonucleotides and siRNAs.

E2F1 stability is regulated by a novel-PKC/p38β MAP kinase signaling pathway during keratinocyte differentiation

E2F transcription factors regulate proliferation, differentiation, DNA repair and apoptosis. Tight E2F regulation is crucial for epidermal formation and regeneration. However, virtually nothing is known about the molecular events modulating E2F during epidermal keratinocyte differentiation. Elucidation of these events is essential to understand epidermal morphogenesis, transformation and repair. Here we show that, in differentiating keratinocytes, Ca(2+)-induced protein kinase C (PKC) activation downregulates E2F1 protein levels. Further, we have identified PKC delta and eta as those isoforms specifically involved in induction of E2F1 proteasomal degradation. We also demonstrate that E2F1 downregulation by novel PKC isozymes requires activation of p38beta mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). This is the first example of regulation in the E2F transcription factor family by activation of PKC and MAPK in the context of biologically significant differentiation stimuli in epithelia.

P73 induction after DNA damage is regulated by checkpoint kinases Chk1 and Chk2

The checkpoint kinases Chk1 and Chk2 are central to the induction of cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, and apoptosis as elements in the DNA-damage checkpoint. We report here that in several human tumor cell lines, Chk1 and Chk2 control the induction of the p53 related transcription factor p73 in response to DNA damage. Multiple experimental systems were used to show that interference with or augmentation of Chk1 or Chk2 signaling strongly impacts p73 accumulation. Furthermore, Chk1 and Chk2 control p73 mRNA accumulation after DNA damage. We demonstrate as well that E2F1 directs p73 expression in the presence and absence of DNA damage. Chk1 and Chk2, in turn, are vital to E2F1 stabilization and activity after genotoxic stress. Thus, Chk1, Chk2, E2F1, and p73 function in a pathway mediating p53-independent cell death produced by cytotoxic drugs. Since p53 is often obviated through mutation as a cellular port for anticancer intervention, this pathway controlling p53 autonomous pro-apoptotic signaling is of potential therapeutic importance.

A Role for 14-3-3τ in E2F1 Stabilization and DNA Damage-induced Apoptosis

Genotoxic stress triggers apoptosis through multiple signaling pathways. Recent studies have demonstrated a specific induction of E2F1 accumulation and a role for E2F1 in apoptosis upon DNA damage. Induction of E2F1 is mediated by phosphorylation events that are dependent on DNA damage-responsive protein kinases, such as ATM. How ATM phosphorylation leads to E2F1 stabilization is unknown. We now show that 14-3-3 tau, a phosphoserine-binding protein, mediates E2F1 stabilization. 14-3-3 tau interacts with ATM-phosphorylated E2F1 during DNA damage and inhibits E2F1 ubiquitination. Depletion of 14-3-3 tau or E2F1, but not E2F2 or E2F3, blocks adriamycin-induced apoptosis. 14-3-3 tau is also required for expression and induction of E2F1 apoptotic targets, such as p73, Apaf-1, and caspases, during DNA damage. Together, these data demonstrate a novel function for 14-3-3 tau in the regulation of E2F1 protein stability and apoptosis during DNA damage.

Specific Role for p300/CREB-binding Protein-associated Factor Activity in E2F1 Stabilization in Response to DNA Damage

E2F1, a member of the E2F family of transcription factors, plays a pivotal role in controlling both physiological cell-cycle progression and apoptotic cell death in response to DNA damage and oncogene activation. In response to genotoxic stresses, E2F1 is stabilized by signals that include ATM-dependent phosphorylation. We recently demonstrated that DNA damage induces also E2F1 acetylation, which is required for its recruitment onto apoptotic gene promoters. Here we show that E2F1 is stabilized in response to doxorubicin and cisplatin treatments even in the absence of either ATM-dependent phosphorylation or p53 and cAbl, two major transducers of DNA damage signaling. We found that acetylation of E2F1 is, instead, required to stabilize the protein in response to doxorubicin. Finally, we report that the formation of E2F1-p300/CREB-binding protein-associated factor (P/CAF) complexes is preferentially induced in doxorubicin-treated cells, and that P/CAF acetyltransferase (HAT), but not p300 HAT activity, is required for a significant E2F1 stabilization and accumulation. Our results unveil a differential role of P/CAF and p300 in acetylation-induced stabilization of E2F1, thus supporting a specific role for P/CAF HAT activity in E2F1-dependent apoptosis in response to DNA damage.

Regulation of E2F1 by BRCT domain-containing protein TopBP1.

The E2F transcription factor integrates cellular signals and coordinates cell cycle progression. Our prior studies demonstrated selective induction and stabilization of E2F1 through ATM-dependent phosphorylation in response to DNA damage. Here we report that DNA topoisomerase IIbeta binding protein 1 (TopBP1) regulates E2F1 during DNA damage. TopBP1 contains eight BRCT (BRCA1 carboxyl-terminal) motifs and upon DNA damage is recruited to stalled replication forks, where it participates in a DNA damage checkpoint. Here we demonstrated an interaction between TopBP1 and E2F1. The interaction depended on the amino terminus of E2F1 and the sixth BRCT domain of TopBP1. It was specific to E2F1 and was not observed in E2F2, E2F3, or E2F4. This interaction was induced by DNA damage and phosphorylation of E2F1 by ATM. Through this interaction, TopBP1 repressed multiple activities of E2F1, including transcriptional activity, induction of S-phase entry, and apoptosis. Furthermore, TopBP1 relocalized E2F1 from diffuse nuclear distribution to discrete punctate nuclear foci, where E2F1 colocalized with TopBP1 and BRCA1. Thus, the specific interaction between TopBP1 and E2F1 during DNA damage inhibits the known E2F1 activities but recruits E2F1 to a BRCA1-containing repair complex, suggesting a direct role of E2F1 in DNA damage checkpoint/repair at stalled replication forks.

Roles of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation and PARP in apoptosis, DNA repair, genomic stability and functions of p53 and E2F-1.

Roles of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation and PARP in apoptosis, DNA repair, genomic stability and functions of p53 and E2F-1.

Association of Pur alpha and E2F-1 suppresses transcriptional activity of E2F-1.

Protein-protein interaction can play an important role in the control of several biological events including gene transcription, replication and cell proliferation. E2F-1 is a DNA-binding transcription factor which, upon interaction with its target DNA sequence, induces expression of several S phase specific genes allowing progression of the cell cycle. Evidently, the activity of this protein is modulated by its cellular partner, pRb, which in the hypophosphorylated form, binds to E2F-1 and inactivates its transcriptional ability. In this study, we have demonstrated that expression of a sequence-specific single-stranded DNA binding protein, Pur alpha, in cells decreases the ability of E2F-1 to exert its transcriptional activity upon the responsive promoter derived from DHFR. Results from band shift experiments revealed that while Pur alpha does not recognize the double-stranded DNA fragment containing the E2F-1 binding site, it has the ability to inhibit E2F-1 interaction with its target DNA sequence. Results from GST pull-down assays and the combined immunoprecipitation/Western blot analysis of nuclear extracts revealed a direct association of E2F-1 with Pur alpha in the absence of the DNA molecule containing the E2F-1 binding site. The association of Pur alpha with E2F-1 may increase the stability of E2F-1, as a higher level of E2F-1 was detected in cells coexpressing Pur alpha and E2F-1. The importance of these observations with respect to the role of Pur alpha in the control of cell cycle progression is discussed.

Regulation of endogenous E2F1 stability by the retinoblastoma family proteins.

Certain E2F transcription factor species play a pivotal role in regulating cell-cycle progression. The activity of E2F1, a protein with neoplastic transforming activity when unregulated, is tightly controlled at the transcriptional level during G0 exit. In addition, during this interval, the stability of endogenous E2F1 protein increased markedly. E2F1 stability also was dynamically regulated during myogenic differentiation and in response to gamma irradiation. One or more retinoblastoma family proteins likely participate in the stability process, because simian virus 40 T antigen disrupted E2F1 stability regulation during G1 exit in a manner dependent on its ability to bind to pocket proteins. Thus, endogenous E2F1 function is regulated by both transcriptional and posttranscriptional control mechanisms.