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Review

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 3, 11–20 (1 January 2002) | doi:10.1038/nrm714

Sibling rivalry in the E2F family

Jeffrey M. Trimarchi & Jacqueline A. Lees

The E2F transcription factor family determines whether or not a cell will divide by controlling the expression of key cell-cycle regulators. The individual E2Fs can be divided into distinct subgroups that act in direct opposition to one another to promote either cellular proliferation or cell-cycle exit and terminal differentiation. What is the underlying molecular basis of this 'push-me–pull-you' regulation, and what are its biological consequences?