The plant E2F-Rb pathway and epigenetic control

Plants and animals use the E2F-Rb pathway as a major mechanism of control in the decision to continue or stop cell division. The E2F-Rb pathway controls the G1-to-S-phase transition by the timely activation of genes involved in DNA synthesis and cell-cycle control. Recent findings reveal that the E2F-Rb pathway communicates with chromatin-remodelling factors in the control of transcription and cell-cycle progression. This article highlights the fast-moving advances in the molecular and functional characterization of plant E2F proteins, and in our understanding of how the E2F-Rb pathway is activated and repressed.