AP-1, NF-kappa-B, and ERK activation thresholds for promotion of neoplastic transformation in the mouse epidermal JB6 model.

The promotion-sensitive mouse epidermal JB6 cells (clone 41) have been used to identify the tumor-promoting activity of various compounds. Because treatment by tumor promoters [12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), epidermal growth factor (EGF), or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)] transforms clone 41 cells to anchorage-independent and tumorigenic phenotypes, they are considered to be undergoing late-stage tumor promotion. Here we address the question of how much activation of transformation-relevant transcription factors [activator protein-1 (AP-1), ternary complex factors (TCFs), or nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappa-B)] is required for transformation response and how much tumor promoter produces significant risk of transformation. Stable transfectants harboring a reporter construct with an AP-1 response element, serum-response element (SRE), or NF-kappa-B response element were established. We examined the relationship between concentration of tumor promoters, key signaling events, and activation of the transcription factors. A concentration of > 0.2 nM TPA or 0.12 ng/mL (0.02 nM) EGF produced a significant increase in transformation response as well as in extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), SRE, or AP-1 activation. Treatment with > 0.4 U/mL (2.35 pM) TNF-alpha increased NF-kappa-B activity and transformation response in a dose-dependent manner. However, transformation response decreased at > 33 U/mL TNF-alpha due to a cytotoxic response. These findings suggest that the signaling pathway leading to the activation of ERK, TCF, and AP-1 proteins constitutes a major factor determining the risk of tumor promotion by TPA or EGF. Cell toxicity in addition to NF-kappa-B activation should be considered in predicting TNF-alpha-induced transformation response.