The p120-v-Abl protein interacts with E2F-1 and regulates E2F-1 transcriptional activity.

The E2F family of transcription factors regulates cell cycle progression, and deregulated expression of E2F-1 can lead to neoplastic transformation. In myeloid cells, introduction and expression of the Abelson leukemia virus causes growth factor independence. Here, the p120 v-Abl protein activates E2F-1-mediated transcription through a physical interaction with the E2F-1 transcription factor. BCR-Abl and c-Abl also stimulate E2F-1-mediated transcription. Our results suggest a new mechanism by which v-Abl leads to factor-independent myeloid cell proliferation: the activation of E2F-1-mediated transcription.