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Diversity within the pRb pathway: is there a code of conduct?

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Abstract

The failure of cell proliferation to be properly regulated is a hallmark of tumourigenesis. The retinoblastoma protein (pRb) pathway represents a key component in the regulation of the cell cycle and tumour suppression. Recent findings have revealed new levels of complexity reflecting a repertoire of post-translational modifications that occur on pRb together with its key effector E2F-1. Here we provide an overview of the modifications and consider the possibility of a ‘code’ that endows pRb with the ability to function in diverse physiological settings.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from CRUK, MRC, LRF, EU and AICR.

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  1. Department of Oncology, Medical Sciences Division, Laboratory of Cancer Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    S Munro, S M Carr & N B La Thangue

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  1. S Munro
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Munro, S., Carr, S. & La Thangue, N. Diversity within the pRb pathway: is there a code of conduct?. Oncogene 31, 4343–4352 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/onc.2011.603

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