Several lines of rat 3Y1 cells in which expression of the adenovirus type 12 E1A gene can be regulated by dexamethasone were established by introduction of recombinant vector DNA containing the adenovirus type 12 E1A gene placed downstream of the hormone-inducible promoter of mouse mammary tumor virus. These cell lines (gMA cells) produced low basal levels of the E1A transcripts and proteins in normal medium and much higher levels upon addition of dexamethasone to the medium. When dexamethasone was added to density-arrested cells, DNA synthesis was induced in 10 to 40% of the cells, the percentage depending on the cell line. DNA synthesis was increased to up to 60% of the cell population by further addition of epidermal growth factor. Indirect immunofluorescence detection of E1A proteins in gMA cells treated with dexamethasone indicated that the intensity of fluorescence in cells varied and that the proportion of cells synthesizing DNA was correlated with the proportion that exhibited strong fluorescence. These results indicate that the E1A gene has a function to trigger the synthesis of cellular DNA.