A node between proliferation, apoptosis, and growth arrest.

Paradoxically, oncogenes and growth factors can induce proliferation and promote cellular survival but can also cause apoptosis and growth arrest. What determines whether a cell decides to proliferate, arrest growth, or die? Mitogens and activators of mitogen-activated pathways initiate the simultaneous production of proliferative (cyclins) and anti-proliferative (CDK inhibitors such as p21WAF1/CIP1) signals. Quiescent cells may respond to these signals by proliferation whereas proliferating cells may respond by growth arrest. Although pro-apoptotic oncoproteins, which constitute the downstream pathway (cyclin D, E2F, c-myc) directly induce proliferation, the activation of the upstream steps (growth factor receptors, Ras, cytoplasmic kinases) is required to prevent apoptosis. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.