Anti-apoptotic function of the E2F transcription factor 4 (E2F4)/p130, a member of retinoblastoma gene family in cardiac myocytes

► E2F4/p130 suppresses expression of pro-apoptotic genes through HDAC1. ► E2F4/p130 inhibits hypoxia-induced cell death. ► A novel role of E2F4/p130/HDAC1 for maintenance of cardiac integrity. ► E2F4 knockout heart shows more apoptotic cardiomyocytes.