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The Laboratory of Molecular Growth Regulation conducts research on the control of cell proliferation, gene regulation, and DNA replication in eukaryotic cells. Independent groups work in complementary areas of gene regulation, including gene regulation of the developing immune system, control of gene expression during early embryogenesis, chromatin-mediated gene silencing, and transcription of small RNA-encoding genes. Of particular interest with respect to immune system function are interferon signaling pathways. The laboratory investigates complex interactions of interferons and interleukins by using transgenic knock-out mice lacking the interferon regulatory factor ICSBP/IRF-8. Early embryonic gene expression may depend on a small number of critical transcription factors, including TEAD-2. Protein complexes containing this factor and YAP-65 are studied in relation to signaling pathways and growth control. Chromatin-mediated gene silencing is mediated by remodeling complexes containing histone acetylases or deacetylases as well as by chromodomain proteins of the heterochromatin protein 1 family. These proteins are under study in the context of cellular senescence and immortalization. Expression of small RNA-encoding genes is modulated at multiple levels by the regulatory phosphoprotein La. This protein and subunits of the RNA polymerase III complex are studied in both human cells and fission yeast.