THE P120-V-ABL PROTEIN INTERACTS WITH E2F-1 AND REGULATES E2F-1 TRANSCRIPTIONAL ACTIVITY

The E2F family of transcription factors regulates cell cycle progressi on, and deregulated expression of E2F-1 can lead to neoplastic transfo rmation. In myeloid cells, introduction and expression of the Abelson leukemia virus causes growth factor independence. Here, the p120 v-Abl protein activates E2F-1-mediated transcription through a physical int eraction with the E2F-1 transcription factor. BCR-Abl and c-Abl also s timulate ESF-1-mediated transcription. Our results suggest a new mecha nism by which v-Abl leads to factor-independent myeloid cell prolifera tion: the activation of E2F-1-mediated transcription.