A model of cell cycle control: sequential events regulated by growth factors

PDGF is a potent mitogen that initiates the proliferation of quiescent fibroblastic cells. EGF and somatomedin C (or insulin) can replace the requirement for plasma to function synergistically with PDGF to stimulate DNA synthesis. PDGF, EGF and somatomedin C control discrete cellular events in the cell cycle. Cyclic AMP can potentiate the effects of polypeptide mitogens. The down-regulation of EGF receptors by PDGF and cyclic AMP brings about a loss of the requirement for exogenous EGF. The transient treatment of density-arrested fibroblasts with PDGF allows better study of synergistic actions of PDGF and plasma-derived factors. These synergistic interactions are important to understand in determining how multiple growth factors regulate cellular proliferation.