v-Jun targets showing an expression pattern that correlates with the transformed cellular phenotype.

Targets of the oncogenic transcription factor v-Jun in the murine cell line C3H 10T1/2 cells have been identified using DNA microarrays. Two targets, Akap12 and Marcks, are downregulated in transformed cells and are known tumor suppressor genes. Overexpression of either Akap12 or Marcks in v-Jun-transformed cells reverses the transformed phenotype and leads to the re-expression of the other tumor suppressor gene, suggesting that these two genes cooperate in the establishment of the nontransformed state. Reverted cells continue to express v-Jun at high levels and also re-express c-Jun, which is normally repressed by v-Jun. A panel of six cell lines has been generated to evaluate the expression levels of other v-Jun targets in 10T1/2 cells. With these cells, we find that the upregulated target Sprr1a has an expression pattern that correlates with the transformed phenotype.