The retinoblastoma1 (RB1) gene is the first cloned tumor suppressor gene. As a negative regulator of the cell cycle, RB1 gene could maintain a balance between cell growth and development through binding to transcription factors and regulating the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. Thus, it is involved in cell cycle, cell senescence, growth arrest, apoptosis and differentiation. This review summarizes recent advances on the structure, expression, and function of RB1 gene.