| Regulation of cell proliferation is dependent on integration of signal transduction systems that are activated by external signal molecules as growth factors and extracellular matrix components. Dependent on these signal transduction networks, the cells are forced in the G1 phase of the cell cycle to continue proliferation or alternatively to stop cell cycle progression. In this latter case the cells are induced to differentiate or to undergo apoptosis, or the cells enter a quiescent or senescent status. The aim of our research is to identify and characterize the molecular systems that underlay the different cellular programs, in particular proliferation, senescence and apoptosis. |
