Induction of differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) by arginase.

Human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) were found to be induced by dimethylsulfoxide and several other compounds to phagocytize, reduce NBT dye, and change into forms that were morphologically similar to granulocytes and macrophages. Arginase also induced these differentiation-associated properties of the cells. The induction of differentiation by arginase was significantly inhibited by addition of excess arginine, but not by lysine or leucine; therefore, the effect of arginase may be due to arginase-mediated arginine depletion.