A requirement for Zn2+ for the induction of thymidine kinase but not ornithine decarboxylase in 3T3 cells stimulated from quiescence.

In 3T3 cells stimulated from quiescence by serum, impaired thymidine incorporation caused by inadequate supply of Zn2+ was associated with both decreased thymidine kinase activity and a comparable decrease in its mRNA concentration. In contrast, the amount of mRNA for ribosomal protein S6 was not affected, nor was the earlier increase in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase.