E2f1, a member of the E2F family of transcription factors, is a central player in cell cycle progression. It regulates the transcription of S phase cyclins and genes essential for DNA replication, DNA repair, and apoptosis [1,2,4]. E2f1 is involved in multiple cellular pathways, and its activity is tightly controlled by DNA damage checkpoints to modulate cell cycle progression and initiate programmed cell death when necessary [1].

Knock-in mouse models have demonstrated the important roles of E2f1 post-translational modifications in regulating DNA repair and physiological responses to DNA damage. E2f1 can recruit histone acetyltransferases, RB, and the BRG1 ATPase to sites of DNA damage, promoting chromatin remodeling and repair [3].

In summary, E2f1 is crucial for cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, and apoptosis. Model-based research, especially using mouse models, has revealed its complex functions in these biological processes. The understanding of E2f1 from such studies may contribute to exploring new strategies for cancer treatment, as E2f1 is highly expressed in many tumors and is closely related to tumor development, metastasis, and prognosis [2].

References:

1. Fouad, Shahd, Hauton, David, D'Angiolella, Vincenzo. 2021. E2F1: Cause and Consequence of DNA Replication Stress. In Frontiers in molecular biosciences, 7, 599332. doi:10.3389/fmolb.2020.599332. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33665206/

2. Shen, Cheng, Li, Jue, Chang, Shuai, Che, Guowei. . [Advancement of E2F1 in Common Tumors]. In Zhongguo fei ai za zhi = Chinese journal of lung cancer, 23, 921-926. doi:10.3779/j.issn.1009-3419.2020.101.32. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33070516/

3. Manickavinayaham, Swarnalatha, Velez-Cruz, Renier, Biswas, Anup K, Guo, Ruifeng, Johnson, David G. 2020. The E2F1 transcription factor and RB tumor suppressor moonlight as DNA repair factors. In Cell cycle (Georgetown, Tex.), 19, 2260-2269. doi:10.1080/15384101.2020.1801190. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32787501/

4. Zhan, Lei, Zhang, Yu, Wang, Wenyan, Fan, Yijun, Wei, Bing. 2016. E2F1: a promising regulator in ovarian carcinoma. In Tumour biology : the journal of the International Society for Oncodevelopmental Biology and Medicine, 37, 2823-31. doi:10.1007/s13277-015-4770-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26749284/