The Experts below are selected from a list of 3024 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Joseph R Nevins - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • E2F4 Plays a Critical Role in Early B-Cell Development.
    Blood, 2004
    Co-Authors: Clayton A. Smith, Rachel E Rempel, Michelle Glozak, Maura Gasparetto, Jos Domens, Doug Cress, Joseph R Nevins
    Abstract:

    The E2Fs are important mediators of cell cycle control, DNA synthesis and apoptosis in many cell types. Recently E2F4 has been shown to play a role in hematopoietic cell growth and development (Rempel et al. Mol Cell, 6 p293, 2000). Here we report the effects of loss of E2F4 specifically on B-cell development. E2F4−/− mice have a partial block in early B-cell development prior to immunoglobulin gene rearrangement. The block is intrinsic to B-cell progenitors rather than secondary to micro-environmental effects since it occurs following transplant of E2F4−/− marrow into wild type recipients. Increases in apoptosis and abnormalities in cell cycle progression were found in B220+CD43+ B-cells of E2F4−/− mice indicating that E2F4 plays an important role in these processes in early B-cells. Expression of a variety of genes important in B-cell development including E2A, RAG, IL-7, EBF and Pax-5 were decreased in early E2F4−/− B-cells. In contrast, Id1 and Id2, regulators of a variety of genes critical to B-cell development, were relatively over-expressed in early E2F4−/− B-cells while Id3 was relatively under-expressed in these cells. E2F binding sites were identified in the Id2 and Id3 promoters and E2F4 was found to directly bind to these promoters in splenic B-cells. These findings suggest that E2F4 may also regulate early B-cell development by directly and indirectly modulating expression of the genes critical to B-cell differentiation. Together, these observations indicate that E2F4 is a critical mediator of early B-cell development via its effects on multiple pathways including those involved with apoptosis, cell cycle progression and differentiation. These findings also suggest that the E2Fs may serve to link cell survival and proliferation pathways to differentiation pathways in early B-cells and perhaps other cells aswell.

  • specificity in the activation and control of transcription factor e2f dependent apoptosis
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2003
    Co-Authors: Timothy C Hallstrom, Joseph R Nevins
    Abstract:

    Previous work has demonstrated a role for the E2F1 gene product in signaling apoptosis, both as a result of the deregulation of the Rb/E2F pathway as well as in response to DNA damage. We now show that the ability of cells to suppress the apoptotic potential of E2F1, as might occur during the course of normal cellular proliferation, requires the action of the Ras–phosphoinositide 3-kinase–Akt signaling pathway. In addition, we also identify a domain within the E2F1 protein, previously termed the marked-box domain, that is essential for the apoptotic activity of E2F1 and that distinguishes the E2F1 protein from E2F3. We also show that the E2F1-marked-box domain is essential for the induction of both p53 and p73 accumulation. Importantly, a role for the marked-box domain in the specificity of E2F1-mediated apoptosis coincides with recent work demonstrating a role for this domain in achieving specificity in the activation of transcription. We conclude that the unique capacity of E2F1 to trigger apoptosis reflects a specificity of transcriptional activation potential, and that this role for E2F1 is regulated through the action of the Akt protein kinase.

  • interaction of yy1 with e2fs mediated by rybp provides a mechanism for specificity of e2f function
    The EMBO Journal, 2002
    Co-Authors: Susanne Schlisio, Joseph R Nevins, Terri J Halperin, Miguel Vidal
    Abstract:

    To explore mechanisms for specificity of function within the family of E2F transcription factors, we have identified proteins that interact with individual E2F proteins. A two-hybrid screen identified RYBP (Ring1- and YY1-binding protein) as a protein that interacts specifically with the E2F2 and E2F3 family members, dependent on the marked box domain in these proteins. The Cdc6 promoter contains adjacent E2F- and YY1-binding sites, and both are required for promoter activity. In addition, YY1 and RYBP, in combination with either E2F2 or E2F3, can stimulate Cdc6 promoter activity synergistically, dependent on the marked box domain of E2F3. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we show that both E2F2 and E2F3, as well as YY1 and RYBP, associate with the Cdc6 promoter at G1/S of the cell cycle. In contrast, we detect no interaction of E2F1 with the Cdc6 promoter. We suggest that the ability of RYBP to mediate an interaction between E2F2 or E2F3 and YY1 is an important component of Cdc6 activation and provides a basis for specificity of E2F function.

  • identification of a novel e2f3 product suggests a mechanism for determining specificity of repression by rb proteins
    Molecular and Cellular Biology, 2000
    Co-Authors: Gustavo Leone, Rosalie C Sears, Faison Nuckolls, Alexander Miron, Laszlo Jakoi, Seiichi Ishida, Monique R Adams, Joseph R Nevins
    Abstract:

    The tumor suppressor function of Rb is intimately related to its ability to interact with E2F and repress the transcription of E2F target genes. Here we describe a novel E2F product that specifically interacts with Rb in quiescent cells. This novel E2F, which we term E2F3b, is encoded by a unique mRNA transcribed from an intronic promoter within the E2F3 locus. The E2F3b RNA differs from the previously characterized E2F3 RNA, which we now term E2F3a, by the utilization of a unique coding exon. In contrast to the E2F3a product that is tightly regulated by cell growth, the E2F3b product is expressed equivalently in quiescent and proliferating cells. But, unlike the E2F4 and E2F5 proteins, which are also expressed in quiescent cells and form complexes with the p130 protein, the E2F3b protein associates with Rb and represents the predominant E2F-Rb complex in quiescent cells. Thus, the previously described specificity of Rb function as a transcriptional repressor in quiescent cells coincides with the association of Rb with this novel E2F product.

  • E2F4 and E2F5 play an essential role in pocket protein-mediated G1 control.
    Molecular cell, 2000
    Co-Authors: Stefan Gaubatz, David M Livingston, Laszlo Jakoi, Joseph R Nevins, Geoffrey J. Lindeman, Seiichi Ishida, Rachel E Rempel
    Abstract:

    Abstract E2F transcription factors are major regulators of cell proliferation. The diversity of the E2F family suggests that individual members perform distinct functions in cell cycle control. E2F4 and E2F5 constitute a defined subset of the family. Until now, there has been little understanding of their individual biochemical and biological functions. Here, we report that simultaneous inactivation of E2F4 and E2F5 in mice results in neonatal lethality, suggesting that they perform overlapping functions during mouse development. Embryonic fibroblasts isolated from these mice proliferated normally and reentered from Go with normal kinetics compared to wild-type cells. However, they failed to arrest in G1 in response to p16 INK4a . Thus, E2F4 and E2F5 are dispensable for cell cycle progression but necessary for pocket protein–mediated G1 arrest of cycling cells.

Eiji Hara - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • epstein barr virus lmp1 blocks p16ink4a rb pathway by promoting nuclear export of E2F4 5
    Journal of Cell Biology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Naoko Ohtani, Stefan Gaubatz, Paul Brennan, Elaine Sanij, Paul J. Hertzog, Ernst J. Wolvetang, Jacques Ghysdael, Martin Rowe, Eiji Hara
    Abstract:

    The p16INK4a–RB pathway plays a critical role in preventing inappropriate cell proliferation and is often targeted by viral oncoproteins during immortalization. Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is often present in EBV-associated proliferative diseases and is critical for the immortalizing and transforming activity of EBV. Unlike other DNA tumor virus oncoproteins, which possess immortalizing activity, LMP1 does not bind to retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein, but instead blocks the expression of p16INK4a tumor suppressor gene. However, it has been unclear how LMP1 represses the p16INK4a gene expression. Here, we report that LMP1 promotes the CRM1-dependent nuclear export of Ets2, which is an important transcription factor for p16INK4a gene expression, thereby reducing the level of p16INK4a expression. We further demonstrate that LMP1 also blocks the function of E2F4 and E2F5 (E2F4/5) transcription factors through promoting their nuclear export in a CRM1-dependent manner. As E2F4/5 are essential downstream mediators for a p16INK4a-induced cell cycle arrest, these results indicate that the action of LMP1 on nuclear export has two effects on the p16INK4a–RB pathway: (1) repression of p16INK4a expression and (2) blocking the downstream mediator of the p16INK4a–RB pathway. These results reveal a novel activity of LMP1 and increase an understanding of how viral oncoproteins perturb the p16INK4a–RB pathway.

  • Epstein-Barr virus LMP1 blocks p16INK4a-RB pathway by promoting nuclear export of E2F4/5.
    The Journal of cell biology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Naoko Ohtani, Stefan Gaubatz, Paul Brennan, Elaine Sanij, Paul J. Hertzog, Ernst J. Wolvetang, Jacques Ghysdael, Martin Rowe, Eiji Hara
    Abstract:

    The p16INK4a–RB pathway plays a critical role in preventing inappropriate cell proliferation and is often targeted by viral oncoproteins during immortalization. Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is often present in EBV-associated proliferative diseases and is critical for the immortalizing and transforming activity of EBV. Unlike other DNA tumor virus oncoproteins, which possess immortalizing activity, LMP1 does not bind to retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein, but instead blocks the expression of p16INK4a tumor suppressor gene. However, it has been unclear how LMP1 represses the p16INK4a gene expression. Here, we report that LMP1 promotes the CRM1-dependent nuclear export of Ets2, which is an important transcription factor for p16INK4a gene expression, thereby reducing the level of p16INK4a expression. We further demonstrate that LMP1 also blocks the function of E2F4 and E2F5 (E2F4/5) transcription factors through promoting their nuclear export in a CRM1-dependent manner. As E2F4/5 are essential downstream mediators for a p16INK4a-induced cell cycle arrest, these results indicate that the action of LMP1 on nuclear export has two effects on the p16INK4a–RB pathway: (1) repression of p16INK4a expression and (2) blocking the downstream mediator of the p16INK4a–RB pathway. These results reveal a novel activity of LMP1 and increase an understanding of how viral oncoproteins perturb the p16INK4a–RB pathway.

Stefan Gaubatz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • epstein barr virus lmp1 blocks p16ink4a rb pathway by promoting nuclear export of E2F4 5
    Journal of Cell Biology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Naoko Ohtani, Stefan Gaubatz, Paul Brennan, Elaine Sanij, Paul J. Hertzog, Ernst J. Wolvetang, Jacques Ghysdael, Martin Rowe, Eiji Hara
    Abstract:

    The p16INK4a–RB pathway plays a critical role in preventing inappropriate cell proliferation and is often targeted by viral oncoproteins during immortalization. Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is often present in EBV-associated proliferative diseases and is critical for the immortalizing and transforming activity of EBV. Unlike other DNA tumor virus oncoproteins, which possess immortalizing activity, LMP1 does not bind to retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein, but instead blocks the expression of p16INK4a tumor suppressor gene. However, it has been unclear how LMP1 represses the p16INK4a gene expression. Here, we report that LMP1 promotes the CRM1-dependent nuclear export of Ets2, which is an important transcription factor for p16INK4a gene expression, thereby reducing the level of p16INK4a expression. We further demonstrate that LMP1 also blocks the function of E2F4 and E2F5 (E2F4/5) transcription factors through promoting their nuclear export in a CRM1-dependent manner. As E2F4/5 are essential downstream mediators for a p16INK4a-induced cell cycle arrest, these results indicate that the action of LMP1 on nuclear export has two effects on the p16INK4a–RB pathway: (1) repression of p16INK4a expression and (2) blocking the downstream mediator of the p16INK4a–RB pathway. These results reveal a novel activity of LMP1 and increase an understanding of how viral oncoproteins perturb the p16INK4a–RB pathway.

  • Epstein-Barr virus LMP1 blocks p16INK4a-RB pathway by promoting nuclear export of E2F4/5.
    The Journal of cell biology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Naoko Ohtani, Stefan Gaubatz, Paul Brennan, Elaine Sanij, Paul J. Hertzog, Ernst J. Wolvetang, Jacques Ghysdael, Martin Rowe, Eiji Hara
    Abstract:

    The p16INK4a–RB pathway plays a critical role in preventing inappropriate cell proliferation and is often targeted by viral oncoproteins during immortalization. Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is often present in EBV-associated proliferative diseases and is critical for the immortalizing and transforming activity of EBV. Unlike other DNA tumor virus oncoproteins, which possess immortalizing activity, LMP1 does not bind to retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein, but instead blocks the expression of p16INK4a tumor suppressor gene. However, it has been unclear how LMP1 represses the p16INK4a gene expression. Here, we report that LMP1 promotes the CRM1-dependent nuclear export of Ets2, which is an important transcription factor for p16INK4a gene expression, thereby reducing the level of p16INK4a expression. We further demonstrate that LMP1 also blocks the function of E2F4 and E2F5 (E2F4/5) transcription factors through promoting their nuclear export in a CRM1-dependent manner. As E2F4/5 are essential downstream mediators for a p16INK4a-induced cell cycle arrest, these results indicate that the action of LMP1 on nuclear export has two effects on the p16INK4a–RB pathway: (1) repression of p16INK4a expression and (2) blocking the downstream mediator of the p16INK4a–RB pathway. These results reveal a novel activity of LMP1 and increase an understanding of how viral oncoproteins perturb the p16INK4a–RB pathway.

  • E2F4 and E2F5 play an essential role in pocket protein-mediated G1 control.
    Molecular cell, 2000
    Co-Authors: Stefan Gaubatz, David M Livingston, Laszlo Jakoi, Joseph R Nevins, Geoffrey J. Lindeman, Seiichi Ishida, Rachel E Rempel
    Abstract:

    Abstract E2F transcription factors are major regulators of cell proliferation. The diversity of the E2F family suggests that individual members perform distinct functions in cell cycle control. E2F4 and E2F5 constitute a defined subset of the family. Until now, there has been little understanding of their individual biochemical and biological functions. Here, we report that simultaneous inactivation of E2F4 and E2F5 in mice results in neonatal lethality, suggesting that they perform overlapping functions during mouse development. Embryonic fibroblasts isolated from these mice proliferated normally and reentered from Go with normal kinetics compared to wild-type cells. However, they failed to arrest in G1 in response to p16 INK4a . Thus, E2F4 and E2F5 are dispensable for cell cycle progression but necessary for pocket protein–mediated G1 arrest of cycling cells.

Naoko Ohtani - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • epstein barr virus lmp1 blocks p16ink4a rb pathway by promoting nuclear export of E2F4 5
    Journal of Cell Biology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Naoko Ohtani, Stefan Gaubatz, Paul Brennan, Elaine Sanij, Paul J. Hertzog, Ernst J. Wolvetang, Jacques Ghysdael, Martin Rowe, Eiji Hara
    Abstract:

    The p16INK4a–RB pathway plays a critical role in preventing inappropriate cell proliferation and is often targeted by viral oncoproteins during immortalization. Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is often present in EBV-associated proliferative diseases and is critical for the immortalizing and transforming activity of EBV. Unlike other DNA tumor virus oncoproteins, which possess immortalizing activity, LMP1 does not bind to retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein, but instead blocks the expression of p16INK4a tumor suppressor gene. However, it has been unclear how LMP1 represses the p16INK4a gene expression. Here, we report that LMP1 promotes the CRM1-dependent nuclear export of Ets2, which is an important transcription factor for p16INK4a gene expression, thereby reducing the level of p16INK4a expression. We further demonstrate that LMP1 also blocks the function of E2F4 and E2F5 (E2F4/5) transcription factors through promoting their nuclear export in a CRM1-dependent manner. As E2F4/5 are essential downstream mediators for a p16INK4a-induced cell cycle arrest, these results indicate that the action of LMP1 on nuclear export has two effects on the p16INK4a–RB pathway: (1) repression of p16INK4a expression and (2) blocking the downstream mediator of the p16INK4a–RB pathway. These results reveal a novel activity of LMP1 and increase an understanding of how viral oncoproteins perturb the p16INK4a–RB pathway.

  • Epstein-Barr virus LMP1 blocks p16INK4a-RB pathway by promoting nuclear export of E2F4/5.
    The Journal of cell biology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Naoko Ohtani, Stefan Gaubatz, Paul Brennan, Elaine Sanij, Paul J. Hertzog, Ernst J. Wolvetang, Jacques Ghysdael, Martin Rowe, Eiji Hara
    Abstract:

    The p16INK4a–RB pathway plays a critical role in preventing inappropriate cell proliferation and is often targeted by viral oncoproteins during immortalization. Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is often present in EBV-associated proliferative diseases and is critical for the immortalizing and transforming activity of EBV. Unlike other DNA tumor virus oncoproteins, which possess immortalizing activity, LMP1 does not bind to retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein, but instead blocks the expression of p16INK4a tumor suppressor gene. However, it has been unclear how LMP1 represses the p16INK4a gene expression. Here, we report that LMP1 promotes the CRM1-dependent nuclear export of Ets2, which is an important transcription factor for p16INK4a gene expression, thereby reducing the level of p16INK4a expression. We further demonstrate that LMP1 also blocks the function of E2F4 and E2F5 (E2F4/5) transcription factors through promoting their nuclear export in a CRM1-dependent manner. As E2F4/5 are essential downstream mediators for a p16INK4a-induced cell cycle arrest, these results indicate that the action of LMP1 on nuclear export has two effects on the p16INK4a–RB pathway: (1) repression of p16INK4a expression and (2) blocking the downstream mediator of the p16INK4a–RB pathway. These results reveal a novel activity of LMP1 and increase an understanding of how viral oncoproteins perturb the p16INK4a–RB pathway.

Jacqueline A Lees - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • E2F4 and E2f5 are essential for the development of the male reproductive system
    Cell cycle (Georgetown Tex.), 2016
    Co-Authors: Paul S. Danielian, Rex A. Hess, Jacqueline A Lees
    Abstract:

    The E2F transcription factors are primarily implicated in the regulation of entry and exit from the cell cycle. However, in vivo studies have established additional roles for E2Fs during organ development and homeostasis. With the goal of addressing the intestinal requirements of E2F4 and E2f5, we crossed mice carrying Vil-cre, E2F4 conditional and E2f5 germline alleles. E2F4 deletion had no detectable effect on intestinal development. However, E2F4f/f;E2f5+/-;Vil-cre males, but not E2F4f/f;Vil-cre littermates, were unexpectedly sterile. This defect was not due to defective spermatogenesis. Instead, the seminiferous tubules and rete testes showed significant dilation, and spermatozoa accumulated aberrantly in the rete testis and efferent ducts. Our data show that these problems result from defective efferent ducts, a tissue whose primary function is to concentrate sperm through fluid absorption. First, Vil-cre expression, and consequent E2F4 loss, was specific to the efferent ducts and not other reproductive tract tissues. Second, the E2F4f/f;E2f5+/-;Vil-cre efferent ducts had completely lost multiciliated cells and greatly reduced levels of critical absorptive cell proteins: aquaporin1, a water channel protein, and clusterin, an endocytic marker. Collectively, the observed testis phenotypes suggest a fluid flux defect. Remarkably, we observed rete testis dilation prior to the normal time of seminiferous fluid production, arguing that the efferent duct defects promote excessive secretory activity within the reproductive tract. Finally, we also detect key aspects of these testis defects in E2f5-/- mice. Thus, we conclude that E2F4 and E2f5 display overlapping roles in controlling the normal development of the male reproductive system.

  • pRB and E2F4 play distinct cell-intrinsic roles in fetal erythropoiesis.
    Cell cycle (Georgetown Tex.), 2010
    Co-Authors: Jing Zhang, Eunice Y. Lee, Yangang Liu, Seth D. Berman, Harvey F. Lodish, Jacqueline A Lees
    Abstract:

    The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein pRB functions, at least in part, by directly binding to and modulating the activity of the E2F transcription factors. Previous studies have shown that both E2F4 and pRB play important roles in fetal erythropoiesis. Given that these two proteins interact directly we investigated the overlap of E2F4 and pRB function in this process by analyzing E2F4-/-, conditional Rb knockout (Rb1lox/1lox), and compound E2F4-/-;Rb1lox/1loxembryos. At E15.5 E2F4-/- and Rb1lox/1lox fetal erythroid cells display distinct abnormalities in their differentiation profiles. When cultured in vitro, both E2F4-/- and Rb1lox/1lox erythroid cells show defects in cell cycle progression. Surprisingly, analysis of cell cycle profiling suggests that E2F4 and pRB control cell cycle exit through different mechanisms. Moreover, only pRB, but not E2F4, promotes cell survival in erythroid cells.  We observed an additive rather than a synergistic impact upon the erythroid defects in the compound E2F4-/...

  • E2F4 cooperates with pRB in the development of extra-embryonic tissues.
    Developmental biology, 2009
    Co-Authors: Eunice Y. Lee, Paul S. Danielian, Tina L. Yuan, Julie C. West, Jacqueline A Lees
    Abstract:

    Abstract The retinoblastoma gene, RB-1, was the first identified tumor suppressor. Rb−/− mice die in mid-gestation with defects in proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The activating E2F transcription factors, E2F1–3, contribute to these embryonic defects, indicating that they are key downstream targets of the retinoblastoma protein, pRB. E2F4 is the major pRB-associated E2F in vivo, yet its role in Rb−/− embryos is unknown. Here we establish that E2F4 deficiency reduced the lifespan of Rb−/− embryos by exacerbating the Rb mutant placental defect. We further show that this reflects the accumulation of trophectoderm-like cells in both Rb and Rb;E2F4 mutant placentas. Thus, Rb and E2F4 play cooperative roles in placental development. We used a conditional mouse model to allow Rb−/−;E2F4−/− embryos to develop in the presence of Rb wild-type placentas. Under these conditions, Rb−/−;E2F4−/− mutants survived to birth. These Rb−/−;E2F4−/− embryos exhibited all of the defects characteristic of the Rb and E2F4 single mutants and had no novel defects. Taken together, our data show that pRB and E2F4 cooperate in placental development, but play largely non-overlapping roles in the development of many embryonic tissues.

  • The role of E2F4 in adipogenesis is independent of its cell cycle regulatory activity
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2003
    Co-Authors: Rebecca L. Landsberg, Paul S. Danielian, Eunice Y. Lee, Tina L. Yuan, Julia E. Sero, Jacqueline A Lees
    Abstract:

    Abstract The E2F and pocket protein families are known to play an important role in the regulation of both cellular proliferation and terminal differentiation. In this study, we have used compound E2F and pocket protein mutant mouse embryonic fibroblasts to dissect the role of these proteins in adipogenesis. This analysis shows that loss of E2F4 allows cells to undergo spontaneous differentiation. The ability of E2F4 to prevent adipogenesis seems to be quite distinct from the known properties of E2F. First, it can be separated from any change in either E2F-responsive gene expression or cell cycle regulation. Second, it is a specific property of E2F4, and not other E2Fs, and it occurs independently of E2F4's ability to interact with pocket proteins. In addition, E2F4 loss does not override the differentiation defect resulting from pRB loss even though it completely suppresses the proliferation defect of Rb−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts. This finding definitively separates the known, positive role of pRB in adipogenesis from its cell cycle function and shows that this pocket protein is required to act downstream of E2F4 in the differentiation process.

  • E2F4 loss suppresses tumorigenesis in Rb mutant mice.
    Cancer cell, 2002
    Co-Authors: Eunice Y. Lee, Jacqueline A Lees, Hieu Cam, Ulrike Ziebold, Joseph B. Rayman, Brian David Dynlacht
    Abstract:

    Abstract The E2F transcription factors mediate the activation or repression of key cell cycle regulatory genes under the control of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) tumor suppressor and its relatives, p107 and p130. Here we investigate how E2F4, the major "repressive" E2F, contributes to pRB's tumor-suppressive properties. Remarkably, E2F4 loss suppresses the development of both pituitary and thyroid tumors in Rb +/− mice. Importantly, E2F4 loss also suppresses the inappropriate gene expression and proliferation of pRB-deficient cells. Biochemical analyses suggest that this tumor suppression occurs via a novel mechanism: E2F4 loss allows p107 and p130 to regulate the pRB-specific, activator E2Fs. We also detect these novel E2F complexes in pRB-deficient cells, suggesting that they play a significant role in the regulation of tumorigenesis in vivo.