Characterization of TIS7, a gene induced in Swiss 3T3 cells by the tumor promoter tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate.

We report here the nucleic acid sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of a cDNA for TIS7, a gene induced by mitogens in 3T3 cells and by nerve growth factor in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. A fragment of the TIS7 gene has previously been cloned from murine fibroblast cells infected with Newcastle Disease Virus. The cDNA sequence suggests some similarities with murine interferons. TIS7 mRNA can also be transiently induced by double-stranded RNA. We suggest that the TIS7 protein may be an autocrine factor that attenuates or amplifies the initial ligand-induced signal.