E2F2 suppresses Myc-induced proliferation and tumorigenesis

Deregulation of E2F transcriptional activity as a result of alterations in the p16-cyclin D-Rb pathway is a hallmark of cancer. However, the roles of the different E2F family members in the process of tumorigenesis are still being elucidated. Studies in mice and humans suggest that E2F2 functions as a tumor suppressor. Here we demonstrate that E2f2 inactivation cooperates with transgenic expression of Myc to enhance tumor development in the skin and oral cavity. In fact, hemizygosity at the E2f2 locus was sufficient to increase tumor incidence in this model. Loss of E2F2 enhanced proliferation in Myc transgenic tissue but did not affect Myc-induced apoptosis. E2F2 did not behave as a simple activator of transcription in epidermal keratinocytes but instead appeared to differentially regulate gene expression dependent on the individual target. E2f2 inactivation also altered the changes in gene expression in Myc transgenic cells by enhancing the increase of some genes, such as cyclin E, and reversing the repression of other genes. These findings demonstrate that E2F2 can function as a tumor suppressor in epithelial tissues, perhaps by limiting proliferation in response to Myc.