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Nature 424, 140-141 (10 July 2003) | doi:10.1038/424140a

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Tumour suppressors: Timing will tell

Anton Berns1

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A sophisticated model of the effects of mutating the retinoblastoma gene reveals a window of opportunity in which cells can be released from the normal control of proliferation, before back-up mechanisms take effect.

How much flexibility is there in the molecular circuits that regulate the functions of cells? If some genes are inactivated, do back-up systems restore the status quo?

  1. Division of Molecular Genetics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
    Email: a.berns@nki.nl