[The cell cycle and the tumor suppressor genes].

Cell cycle progression is controlled by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) at the transition of both G1 to S and G2 to M phases. The activities of CDKs are negatively regulated by CDK inhibitors. Deregulation of CDK activity at the G1-S transition allows an aberrant progression of the cell cycle in tumor cells. Recent developments on cell cycle control have revealed a signal transducing pathway of tumor suppressor genes, p53 and pRb, concerning CDK and CDK inhibitors. CDK inhibitor p21 is a target of p53. p53 binds a promoter of the p21 gene and activates the transcription of p21. Consequently, cell cycle progression is blocked at the G1 phase through the suppression of CDK activity. pRb is a substrate of CDK. pRb functions to suppress cell cycle progression at the G1 phase associated with the E2F transcription factor. Phosphorylated pRb by CDK releases an active E2F, which promotes the expression of genes whose products may play a crucial role in controlling G1-S progression. These findings have deepened our understanding on the molecular mechanisms of tumor growth suppression.