Mechanisms of oncogene cooperation: activation and inactivation of a growth antagonist.

Gene transfer experiments have defined limitations with regard to the ability of individual oncogenes to transform cultured cells to a tumorigenic state. The stable transformation of REF52 cells by either the ras or sis oncogenes requires the continuous expression of a second collaborating oncogene, such as adenovirus-5 E1A or SV40 large T-antigen. Our studies suggest that the function of the nuclear collaborators is to antagonize dominant growth controls which limit the ability of REF52 cells to proliferate in response to mitogenic stimuli.