A tumor suppressor gene codes for retinoblastoma protein (pRb). The retinoblastoma protein binds to transcription factor E2F when DNA damage is detected. The E2F bound to pRb can not stimulate expression of genes that code for proteins required during the process of DNA synthesis. The cell can not enter the S phase.
On the other hand, when the retinoblastoma protein is phosphorylated by cyclin E-CDK2, E2F transcription factor is free to stimulate the expression of genes required for DNA synthesis and the cell proceeds from G1 to S phase.
When the mutated retinoblastoma gene code for a protein that serves as phosphorylated protein, it will not be able to bind strongly with E2F and there would be continuous expression of genes required for S phase.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are chemically reactive and unstable species containing oxygen. ROS are formed when oxygen is partially reduced, thus they are all radicals with very high reactivity, attacking membrane proteins such as ion channels etc
Examples include peroxides (H2O2), superoxide (O2-), hydroxyl radical (.OH)
