Background information
Rb is a tumor suppressor gene which functions as a negative regulator of the cell cycle by interacting with transcription factors including E2F1, PU1, ATF2, UBF, Elf1 and cAbl. This ability of Rb to alter transcription is regulated by phosphorylation catalyzed by the cyclin dependent protein kinases (cdks). Rb is phosphorylated on serine and threonine, but not on tyrosine residues. It forms a complex with SV40 large T antigen, adenovirus E1A, and human papilloma virus 16E. Rb protein may act by regulating transcription and loss of its function leads to uncontrolled cell growth. Aberrations in the Rb gene have been implicated in cancers of breast, colon, prostate, kidney, nasopharynx, and leukemia.
