Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Identification Of Phosphatases Involved In E2f-Associated Apoptosis, Liza D. Morales Smith

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a tumor suppressor protein that controls a critical checkpoint between the G1 phase and the S phase of the cell cycle. Rb is able to suppress cell proliferation by binding to the E2F family of transcription factors, inhibiting its ability to activate transcription of genes necessary for cell cycle progression. Mutations in proteins involved with the Rb/E2F pathway can result in hyper-proliferative cells that overtime can acquire and accumulate additional mutations, which could lead to tumorigenesis. To prevent hyper-proliferation, aberrant cells can be eliminated through apoptosis. E2F can induce apoptosis through two pathways: through transactivation of the …