Differential response of satellite cells and embryonic myoblasts to a tumor promoter.

Treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) reversibly suppressed myotube formation and expression of acetylcholine receptors in cultures of Day 15 mouse embryo presumptive myoblasts, but was totally ineffective in cultures of adult mouse satellite cells. A subpopulation of TPA-resistant myogenic cells became apparent in cultures prepared from older embryos or newborn mice. Thus, limb presumptive myoblasts are a heterogeneous population, and part of the distinct TPA-resistant subpopulation may represent satellite cell precursors.