[Factors controlling tumor promotion induced by TPA]

Phospholipase A2 inhibitors and lipoxygenase inhibitors markedly suppressed mouse skin ODC (ornithine decarboxylase) induction and promotion of papilloma by TPA. The inhibitory potency was related to the inhibition of epidermal 12-lipoxygenase. Lipoxygenase inhibitors, such as AA 861 and tetrahydrochalcone were lacking in the inhibitory action on protein kinase C. Moreover, palmitoylcarnitin, a protein kinase C inhibitor, inhibited TPA-induced differention of HL 60 cells and TPA-induced epidermal ODC induction and tumor promotion in mouse skin. Intraperitoneal injection of TPA also induced ODC in liver, kidney and spleen, but not in the skin of mice. In isolated mouse epidermal cells, TPA and diacylglycerol induced ODC. The induction of ODC was inhibited by phospholipase A2 inhibitors, lipoxygenase inhibitors, anticalmodulines, Ca++ entry blockers and Ca++ antagonists. These results indicate that intracellular Ca++ is involved in TPA induction of ODC.