Effects of tumor promoters and diacylglycerol on the transdifferentiation of striated muscle cells of the medusa Podocoryne carnea to RF-amide positive nerve cells

Isolated striated muscle of the anthomedusa of Podocoryne carnea can be stimulated to carry out DNA synthesis and transdifferentiation to RF-amide positive nerve cells by the protein kinase C-activating drugs 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA), mezerein and diacylglycerol. Methylether-TPA, which does not activate protein kinase C, is unable to induce transdifferentiation. In isolated muscle tissue treated simultaneously with TPA and K-252a, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, the rate of transdifferentiation is greatly reduced. The role of protein kinase C in transdifferentiation is discussed.