Induction of Transformed Cells to Terminal Differentiation

Abstract

HMBA induces MEL cells to terminal erythroid differentiation. HMBA causes a decrease in diacylglycerol concentration, a decrease in Ca+2 and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C activity (within 2 hr). There is an early (within 1-2 hrs) suppression of c-myb and c-myc gene transcription and an increase in c-fos mRNA (within 4 hrs). During the early or "latent" period there is no detectable commitment of MELC to terminal cell division or expression of differentiated genes such as alpha 1 or beta maj globin genes. HMBA-induced commitment to terminal differentiation is detected by 12 hrs and over 95% become committed cells by 48-60 hrs. Commitment is associated with persistent suppression of ..