The tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induces a program of altered gene expression similar to that induced by platelet-derived growth factor and transforming oncogenes.

Treatment of mouse NIH 3T3 cells with the phorbol ester tumor promoter, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, results in altered transcription of several genes as measured in nuclear run-off experiments. The first set of genes, whose altered transcription occurs rapidly in the absence of protein synthesis, is typified by induction of c-myc and c-fos and decreased transcription of alpha 2 type I procollagen. This work demonstrates the existence of a second class of genes whose rapidly increased transcription requires prior protein synthesis, which is represented by the gene encoding a secreted lysosomal protein, MEP. Similar induction of MEP RNA is seen after treatment with platelet-derived growth factor or transformation with Kirsten sarcoma virus.