E2F target genes and cell-cycle checkpoint control

In this review, we will focus on the role played by transcription factors o f the E2F/DP family in controlling the expression of genes that carry out i mportant cell-cycle control functions, thereby ensuring ordered progression through the mammalian cell division cycle. The emerging picture is that ce ll-cycle progression depends on the execution of a regulatory cascade of ge ne expression, driven by E2F/DP transcription factors, which are in turn re gulated by the products of some of these genes. That E2F factors are potent regulators of cell-cycle checkpoints in mammalian cells is supported by ex periments demonstrating that ectopic expression of individual E2F family me mbers is sufficient to modulate cell proliferation and apoptosis. It is als o clear that deregulation of E2F activity will result in the loss of partic ular checkpoint controls, thereby predisposing cells to malignant conversio n. BioEssays 21:221-230. 1999. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.