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Apoptosis induced in mammalian cells by small peptides that functionally antagonize the Rb-regulated E2F transcription factor

Nature Biotechnology volume 15, pages 896–901 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

A variety of studies implicate the E2F transcription factor as a critical regulator of the mammalian cell cycle. The E2F pathway is aberrant in most, if not all, human tumor cells; therefore, therapeutic regimes that modulate E2F activity may provide an approach for reinstating growth control in situations where normal physiological control is lost. To elucidate the role of E2F in the cell cycle and assess its value as a therapeutic target, we have introduced peptides that functionally antagonize E2F DNA binding activity into mammalian cells. Introduction of these peptides into mammalian tumor cells caused the rapid onset of apoptosis, an outcome that correlates with the inactivation of physiological E2F.

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Author notes

  1. Nicholas B. La Thangue: Corresponding author (e-mail: n.lathangue@bio.gla.ac.uk).

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Prolifix Ltd 1–3 Burtonhole Lane, Mill Hill, London, NW71AD, UK

    Lasantha R. Bandara & Nicholas B. La Thangue

  2. Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Davidson Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK

    Rowena Girling

  3. Laboratory of Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, TheRidgeway, Mill Hill, London, NW71AA, UK

    Nicholas B. La Thangue

Authors
  1. Lasantha R. Bandara
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  2. Rowena Girling
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  3. Nicholas B. La Thangue
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Bandara, L., Girling, R. & Thangue, N. Apoptosis induced in mammalian cells by small peptides that functionally antagonize the Rb-regulated E2F transcription factor. Nat Biotechnol 15, 896–901 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0997-896

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