ARF tumor suppression in the nucleolus

• Oncogenic proteins have co-opted control of translation and ribosome biogenesis.
• This is a means to further the growth of malignant, rapidly dividing cells.
• ARF interferes with ribosome biogenesis through its nucleolar interactions.
• ARF works through p53-dependent and independent functions in the nucleolus.

Since its discovery close to twenty years ago, the ARF tumor suppressor has played a pivotal role in the field of cancer biology. Elucidating ARF's basal physiological function in the cell has been the focal interest of numerous laboratories throughout the world for many years. Our current understanding of ARF is constantly evolving to include novel frameworks for conceptualizing the regulation of this critical tumor suppressor. As a result of this complexity, there is great need to broaden our understanding of the intricacies governing the biology of the ARF tumor suppressor. The ARF tumor suppressor is a key sensor of signals that instruct a cell to grow and proliferate and is appropriately localized in nucleoli to limit these processes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Role of the Nucleolus in Human Disease.