c-Myb prevents TPA-induced differentiation and cell death in v-Myb transformed monoblasts

Myelomonocytic cells transformed by v-Myb or altered forms of c-Myb do not contain the full-length c-Myb protein found in most immature hematopoietic cells. To determine if c-Myb was a dominant inhibitor of v-Myb, we have induced the synthesis of full-length c-Myb in monoblasts transformed by v-Myb. We found that although some morphological changes occurred, the presence of both c-Myb and v-Myb was compatible with cell growth. However, the response to phorbol ester (TPA) was significantly altered by c-Myb. Monoblasts transformed by v-Myb can be induced to differentiate into macrophages by treatment with TPA. This process is accompanied by a significant amount of cell death. However, when c-Myb was made TPA-inducible in these cells, TPA-induced differentiation into macrophages was blocked and cell death was prevented. These results demonstrate a significant difference in the biological effects of v-Myb and c-Myb in transformed myelomonocytic cells.