| Type: | Family | Name: | Retinoblastoma protein family |
| Description: | This entry represents the retinoblastoma protein family, including retinoblastoma-associated protein (RB, also known as pRb, RB, p1051), retinoblastoma-like protein 1 (RBL1, also known as p107) and retinoblastoma-like protein 2 (RBL2, also known as RB2 or p130). Members of this family contain a conserved domain named the 'pocket' that interacts with the LXCXE motif found in viral proteins, such as SV40 large T antigen []. Therefore, this family is also called the pocket protein family.In humans, RB is a tumour suppressor linked to several major cancers []. RB forms complexes with E2Fs and represses gene expression by recruiting chromatin remodeling factors, such as histone deacetylases (HDACs) to E2F-responsive promoters [, ]. This interaction regulates genes necessary for DNA replication and cell cycle. Phosphorylation of RB family by CDK and cyclin complexes leads to release of the repressor complex and enables E2F-dependent gene expression []. Apart from E2Fs, RB also interacts with other transcription factors that govern cell differentiation [, ]. RBL1 and RBL2 are the components of the DREAM complex, which represses cell cycle-dependent genes in quiescent cells and plays a role in the cell cycle-dependent activation of G2/M genes [, ]. | Short Name: | RB_fam |
