A New Tumor-Promoting Agent, Dihydroteleocidin B, Markedly Enhances Chemically Induced Malignant Cell Transformation

Abstract
Teleocidin, which was isolated from mycelia of Streptomyces, is a potent tumor promoter in mouse skin. The catalytically hydrogenated compound dihydroteleocidin B markedly enhanced malignant cell transformation induced by 3-methylcholanthrene or ultraviolet radiation. Dihydroteleocidin B was at least 100 times more effective in enhancing transformation than 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, the strongest promoter known until now, whereas both promoters showed equal capacities to induce early membrane effects and DNA synthesis.