Regulation of differentiation, proliferation and cancer suppressor activity

Abstract

This review suggests that carcinogenesis is linked to defects in linkages between cellular differentiation and regulation of cell proliferation. These linkages are discussed in terms of terminal and nonterminal states of differentiation and their relationship to the control of proliferation. The ability of differentiation to regulate proliferation potential proteins and cancer suppressor genes is also discussed, because these mechanisms may be important for cancer prevention and therapy.