Reactivity to TGF-beta is one step towards transformation in a murine fibroblast cell line

High doses of TGF-beta induce reactivity to TGF-beta in a distinct number of C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts suspended in soft agar. Reactive cells can be isolated and stably maintain this property. In the absence of exogenously added TGF-beta, these cells do not form colonies, but show distinct changes in their morphology and cytoskeleton. In contrast to normal C3H10T1/2 cells, they are able to form colonies when low doses of TGF-beta are added. TGF-beta-reactive cells are more easily transformed by UV light than normal C3H10T1/2 cells, and so maintain their transformed phenotype in the absence of added TGF-beta. Reactivity for TGF-beta, therefore, represents one step towards transformation.