Overview:

Rb is the retinoblastoma gene product and was the first tumor suppressor cloned. Rb is a negative regulator of the cell cycle through its ability to bind the transcription factor E2F and repress transcription of genes required for S phase (1). Rb can bind to MDM2 and this overcomes both the antiapoptotic function of MDM2 and the MDM2-dependent degradation of p53. Rb associates with the Polycomb group (PcG) proteins to form a repressor complex that blocks entry of cells into mitosis (2). Rb colocalizes with nuclear PcG complexes and is important for association of PcG complexes with nuclear targets.

Gene Aliases:

RB1, OSRC

Genbank Number:

NM_000321

References:

1. Hanahan, D.et al: The hallmarks of cancer. Cell 100: 57-70, 2000.

2. Dahiya, A. et al: Linking the Rb and Polycomb pathways. Molec. Cell 8: 557-568, 2001.