| abstract |
The present invention relates to the discovery in eukaryotic cells, particularly mammalian cells, of a novel family of cell-cycle regulatory proteins ("CCR-proteins"). As described herein, these family of proteins includes a polypeptide having an apparent molecular weight of 16 kDa (hereinafter "p16 INK4 " OR "p16") and which can function as an inhibitor of cell-cycle progression, and therefore ultimately of cell growth, and that similar to role of p21 and p53, the p16 protein may function coordinately with the cell cycle regulatory protein, retinoblastoma (Rb). Furthermore, the CCR-protein family includes a protein having an apparent molecular weight of 13.5 kDa (hereinafter "p13.5"). The presumptive role of p13.5, like p16, is in the regulation of the cell-cycle. |