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A protein essential to regulating cell cycle progression - the process of cell division and replication - activates a key tumor suppressor, instead of inactivating it as earlier thought, according to a new study. 

"The finding is the result of literally 20 years of work in my lab," said Steven F. Dowdy, PhD, professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at UC San Diego, in the press release. "It completely turns upside-down what was thought to be a fundamental aspect of cell cycle progression in all cancer cells driven by one of the most common genetic pathways mutated in cancer, namely the p16-cyclin D pathway."

Cyclin D is synthesized during the first stage of cell replication. It is also believed to help drive the complex, multi-stage process which includes interaction with the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein. Rb acts as a tumor suppressor, researchers added. 

The researchers said the findings fundamentally change the understanding of G1 cell cycle regulation and the molecular origins of many associated cancers. Moreover, how the next cyclin, cyclin E, that actually does inactivate Rb becomes activated has not been heavily investigated because it was thought to be the less important second domino, whereas we now know it is the first domino, added Dowdy, in the press release. 

The findings of the study is published in the journal eLife.