Rb function in cell-cycle regulation and apoptosis

Loss of cell-cycle control is a hallmark of neoplastic cells. One regulator of the critical G1 to S-phase transition in the cell cycle is the retinobl astoma tumour suppressor protein Rb, which interacts with the E2F family of cell-cycle transcription factors to repress gene transcription required fo r this transition. Through its interaction with E2F, ph also regulates gene s that control apoptosis. Here we review the roles of ph in regulating the cell cycle and apoptosis and discuss recent results linking these ph functi ons to chromatin-remodelling enzymes.