Transcriptional control by the retinoblastoma protein

The retinoblastoma gene product is an abundant nuclear protein whose 'pocket domain' mediates numerous protein-protein interactions. A substantial proportion of the RB-interacting proteins are transcription factors suggesting that RB plays a fundamental role in the regulation of transcription. Via these interactions, RB can influence both the progression through the cell cycle and the expression of lineage specific products. In this review I discuss some of the likely mechanisms by which RB regulates cell proliferation and differentiation.