Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Analysis of Cell Cycle Position in Mammalian Cells
12:19

Analysis of Cell Cycle Position in Mammalian Cells

Published on: January 21, 2012

Identification of a novel Rb-regulated gene associated with the cell cycle

Young Hoon Sung1, Hye Jin Kim, Han-Woong Lee

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Yonsei Laboratory Animal Research Center, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-749, Korea.

Molecules and Cells
|January 10, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified a new gene, RbEST47, crucial for cell cycle regulation. This gene is upregulated in retinoblastoma (Rb)-deficient cells and shows cell cycle-dependent expression, suggesting its role in cancer development.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The retinoblastoma (Rb) gene is a critical regulator of the cell cycle and a tumor suppressor.
  • Germline Rb mutations lead to developmental abnormalities and embryonic lethality due to uncontrolled cell proliferation.
  • Understanding Rb's function requires identifying its target genes and their roles in cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify novel genes regulated by the retinoblastoma (Rb) gene.
  • To characterize the function and expression patterns of a newly discovered Rb-regulated gene.

Main Methods:

  • Gene expression profiling of Rb-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs).
  • Identification and characterization of the upregulated gene, named RbEST47.
  • Analysis of RbEST47 conservation, expression patterns, and chromosomal location.

Main Results:

  • A novel gene, RbEST47, was identified and found to be transcriptionally upregulated in Rb-deficient MEFs.
  • RbEST47 is conserved across species and expressed in various tissues, including brain, lung, kidney, and testis.
  • RbEST47 expression is down-regulated in immortalized cells and exhibits cell cycle-dependent regulation, particularly in S and/or G2 phases.

Conclusions:

  • RbEST47 is a novel retinoblastoma-regulated gene with conserved function.
  • Its cell cycle-dependent expression suggests a significant role in cell cycle progression and potentially in tumorigenesis.
  • Further investigation of RbEST47 is warranted to elucidate its precise mechanisms in cell cycle control and cancer.

More Related Videos

In Vivo Detection and Analysis of Rb Protein SUMOylation in Human Cells09:40

In Vivo Detection and Analysis of Rb Protein SUMOylation in Human Cells

Published on: November 2, 2017

Inducible and Reversible Dominant-negative (DN) Protein Inhibition08:35

Inducible and Reversible Dominant-negative (DN) Protein Inhibition

Published on: January 7, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Negative Regulator Molecules01:23

Negative Regulator Molecules

Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Positive Regulator Molecules02:39

Positive Regulator Molecules

Mitotic cell division results in daughter cells that exactly resemble the parent cell. However, errors in the DNA replication or distribution of genetic material may lead to genetic mutations that may be passed down to every new cell formed from the resulting abnormal cell. Propagation of such mutant cells is restricted through checkpoint mechanisms present at different stages of the cell cycle. These checkpoints involve regulator molecules that either promote or demote cell cycle events.
Positive Regulator Molecules01:45

Positive Regulator Molecules

To consistently produce healthy cells, the cell cycle—the process that generates daughter cells—must be precisely regulated.
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division01:27

Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division

Several external and internal factors influence the initiation and inhibition of cell division. For instance, the death of nearby cells or the release of human growth hormone (hGH) promotes cell division. In contrast, lack of hGH or crowding of cells can inhibit cell division.
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...