CELL-CYCLE REGULATORY PROTEINS - AN OVERVIEW WITH RELEVANCE TO ORAL-CANCER

The cell cycle is controlled by a number of highly conserved proteins, found in species as diverse as yeast and mammals. The study of these proteins is a rapidly advancing held that is increasing our understand ing of normal and abnormal cell division. Disruption of the cell cycle has been demonstrated in several different types of neoplasm, and the re is increasing evidence that, in head and neck tumours, there is abe rrant control of cyclins, cell cycle protein kinases and their inhibit ors. Because of the phase specificity of some of the control proteins, antibodies to them are proving to be of value in studying cell kineti cs of both normal tissues and malignant tumours. (C) 1987 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd.