Planet RB: a personal contribution to a proteomic map of human retinoblastoma protein

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive proteomic map of the human retinoblastoma protein (RB), revealing its complex interactions and potential functions beyond traditional tumor suppression, with implications for cancer and aging research.

Contribution

It provides a detailed proteomic map of RB, highlighting its diverse binding partners and functions, which advances understanding of its role in cellular processes and disease.

Findings

RB binds to growth-promoting proteins like insulin

RB interacts with calcium and oxygen

RB may have proteolytic, antimicrobial, and anti-aging activities

Abstract

As I compress on the canvas of a few pages here major results of my research on the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (RB) spreading over the past 15 years, an exciting picture emerges on this unique host molecule which surpasses in its complexity even that of the most capable viral proteins known to date. Accordingly, RB has the potential to bind not only growth-promoting proteins such as insulin, but also to attach itself to calcium and oxygen, as well as to be secreted into the extracellular environment. Moreover, RB may exert proteolytic, antimicrobial and anti-aging activities. These condensed structure-based insights on RB are the substance of a scientific revolution I have initiated a long time ago, yet likely to gain even further speed in the years to come, thus expanding both our understanding of life at the molecular level and the possibilities for pharmacological modulation of fundamental biological phenomena, particularly in oncology and gerontology.