E2F transcription factors and their complementary roles during DNA damage responses

Abstract

E2F TFs (E2FA–F), which are classified as typical (E2FA–C) and atypical (E2FD–F) depending on their ability to interact with two DP interaction proteins (DPa and DPb) ( Sablowski and Gutierrez, 2022 ). While E2FA–C need to heterodimerize with either DPa or DPb to function, E2FD–F act independently of DP proteins. Moreover, the retinoblastoma-related1 (RBR1) protein also binds and inhibits the typical E2F/DP TF complexes when bound to the promoter of genes, repressing their expression in the absence of a signal to enter a new cell cycle. In general, E2FA and E2FB are considered transcriptional activators, while E2FC is generally considered a repressor of cell proliferation ( Sablowski and Gutierrez, 2022 ). In addition, it is well documented that E2FB at least, and probably E2FA, can also stimulate the G2/M transition.