Embryonal carcinoma cell growth and differentiation. Production of and response to molecules with transforming growth factor activity.

Transforming growth factors are known to induce anchorage-independent growth of non-transformed cells, and are released by a variety of cells, including MSV-transformed cells. This study demonstrates that the differentiated cells derived from F9 and PC-13 embryonal carcinoma cells, but not the parental cells themselves, respond by increased growth to several factors released by MSV-transformed cells, including partially purified sarcoma growth factor. The chemical properties of the growth-promoting activity are shown to match the chemical properties of the transforming growth factors released by MSV-transformed cells. Furthermore, F9 and PC-13 embryonal carcinoma cells, which do not respond to factors released by MSV-transformed cells, are shown to release factors with transforming growth factor activity. Based on the close relationship between mouse embryonal carcinoma cells and cells of early mouse embryos, it is suggested that molecules with transforming growth factor activity may play a role during the early stages of mammalian development.