Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a phorbol ester, is a reversible, highly potent activator of protein kinase C (PKC), including Group A and Group B isoforms (Blumberg). PMA activates PKC isoforms through the binding of the C1 domain (Hurley et al.). PMA can also activate certain mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways through PKC (Adams & Parker).


DIFFERENTIATION
· Stimulates cardiac differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (Seo et al.).

· Promotes hematopoietic differentiation (Clemens et al.).

IMMUNOLOGY

· Stimulates differentiation of IL-15-stimulated lamina propria CD4+ T cells into CXCR5+CD4+ cells when used together with ionomicin (Sarra et al.).

CANCER RESEARCH
· In combination with AS101, it shows anti-leukemic activity and stimulates human leukemia cell lines to differentiate into macrophage-like cells (Glesne & Huberman; Hayun et al.).