REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES AS MEDIATORS OF THE TRANSFORMED PHENOTYPE

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to be involved in different pr o- and anticarcinogenic mechanisms. However, their influence on the ma intenance of the transformed phenotype has not been studied so far, He re we show that the anchorage-independent growth of transformed murine fibroblasts is inhibited by antioxidants and radical scavengers in a concentration-dependent and reversible manner. These agents also reduc e TGF-beta-dependent stimulation of colony formation in soft agar, poi nting to their specific interference with TGF-beta-triggered signal ch ains involved in the maintenance of the transformed state. (C) 1997 Wi ley-Liss, Inc.