Induction of proliferin gene expression by diverse chemical agents that promote morphological transformation in C3H/10T1/2 cultures.

Anthralin, iodoacetic acid, BHT, Tween 60 and TPA induced cytoplasmic accumulation of transcripts of the proliferin gene family at or near effective concentrations for promotion of morphological transformation of C3H/10T1/2 cells. Conversely, non-promoters (4-alpha-phorbol, formic acid and methanol) were ineffective inducers. Compounds likely to promote transformation (nickel sulphate, benzyl peroxide and t-butyl hydroperoxide) were also effective and apparently selective, proliferin inducers in C3H/10T1/2 and primary murine fibroblasts. Proliferin induction may be a useful molecular marker to predict chemically-induced promotion of morphological transformation in C3H/10T1/2 cells.