The ancient function of RB-E2F pathway: insights from its evolutionary history.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The RB-E2F pathway is conserved in most eukaryotic lineages, including animals and plants. E2F and RB family proteins perform crucial functions in cycle controlling, differentiation, development and apoptosis. However, there are two kinds of E2Fs (repressive E2Fs and active E2Fs) and three RB family members in human. Till now, the detail evolutionary history of these protein families and how RB-E2F pathway evolved in different organisms remain poorly explored.

Results

We performed a comprehensive evolutionary analysis of E2F, RB and DP (dimerization partners of E2Fs) protein family in representative eukaryotic organisms. Several interesting facts were revealed. First, orthologues of RB, E2F, and DP family are present in several representative unicellular organisms

SUBMITTER: Cao L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3224931 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature