pRb and the cdks in apoptosis and the cell cycle.
Apoptosis is a fundamental biological process present in metazoan cells. Linking apoptosis to the cell cycle machinery provides a mechanism to maintain proper control of cell proliferation in a multicellular organism. pRb and the cyclin-dependent kinases may have dual roles as integral components of the cell cycle and regulators of apoptosis. In many instances manipulation of the cell cycle through these molecules can induce or inhibit apoptosis. Recent studies also identify pRb as a substrate for an apoptotic protease; however, other cell cycle components are not known substrates. While it is clear that many common molecules can affect cell proliferation and cell death, the universality of any one cell cycle molecule in apoptosis has yet to be determined.
Kasten
M M
MM
Departments of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
Giordano
A
A
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / Q000502:physiology*; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000502:physiology*
D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases