Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a potent mitogen consisting of heterodimers of two distinct but homologous polypeptide chains, denoted A and B. PDGF-like homodimers of the A-and B-chains have been isolated, as well as two distinct receptor types (alpha and beta), which discriminate among the PDGF isoforms. The PDGF A-and B-chains are encoded by distinct genes located on human chromosomes 7 and 22, respectively. Although PDGF has been implicated as an important participant in development, tissue repair, and numerous pathologic states including tumorigenesis, atherosclerosis and inflammation, the mechanisms which determine the rate of its synthesis are only beginning to be understood. Basal expression of the PDGF A-and B-chain genes has been characterized in a number of cell types and is directed in part by elements in the respective proximal promoter-regulatory regions of the two genes. In addition, the first intron of PDGF-B has been shown to contain both positive and negative regulatory elements. Transcription of the PDGF subunit genes is inducible by a wide variety of mitogenic growth factors, cytokines and other agonists. These agents produce a rapid increase in steady-state concentrations of PDGF A-and B-chain mRNAs, peaking within 4-8 h of stimulation. The inductive effects of protein kinase C-activating phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), thrombin and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) are mediated through increases in the transcription rates of both genes. In addition, cAMP blocks the increases in transcription of the B-chain gene induced by thrombin and TGF-beta. Studies have demonstrated the importance of sequences immediately upstream of the B-chain transcription start site for induction in response to PMA-initiated megakaryocyte differentiation, an effect which is dependent on protein synthesis. However, cis-acting elements which mediate more rapid transcriptional induction seen in endothelial cells and astrocytes have yet to be identified in the proximal 5'-flanking sequences of either the A-or B-chain genes, suggesting that such events may be mediated by elements located outside of this region.