The family of retinoblastoma proteins.

: Our understanding of how the retinoblastoma family members, pRB/p105, pRB2/p130, and pRBL1/p107, regulate cellular properties has progressed significantly. Mechanisms have been described regarding how these proteins utilize properties of additional factors, such as histone deacetylases, to negatively regulate transcription. More importantly, the retinoblastoma proteins have been integrated within multiple cellular pathways, and a complex view has emerged on how the individual members respond to various external and internal stimuli. pRB/p105 is best described in its biochemical properties as well as in the resulting cellular functions. Less is known about pRB2/p130 and pRBL1/p107, but an improved map of their individual as well as redundant functions has been drawn over the last years. In this review we describe general aspects of the properties and functions of the three retinoblastoma family members and their protein-binding partners in cellular growth control.