The role of reactive oxygen (RO) in the promotion of neoplastic transformation of JB6 mouse epidermal cells by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was investigated using inhibitors of RO itself or RO generating systems of seven different types. Bovine erythrocyte CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD) maximally decreased anchorage-independent (AI) colony induction by TPA in semi-solid agar in a dose-dependent manner to 10% of TPA control level. The inhibitory effect was specifically on induction of transformation, not expression of transformation. Copper (II) (3,5-diisopropylsalicylic acid)2, which exhibits biomimetic SOD activity, was also effective. Two enzyme eliminators of H2O2, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, failed to prevent TPA-promotion. Among three hydroxyl radical scavengers, D-mannitol and Na-benzoate were moderately active but tetramethylurea did not specifically inhibit AI colony induction by TPA. A quencher of singlet oxygen, 1,4-diazobicyclo-[2,2,2]octane was also inactive. Antioxidants blocked AI transformation by TPA moderately (n-propyl gallate and tannic acid) or weakly (BHA). BHT did not specifically inhibit promotion of transformation. The effects of three inhibitors of the arachidonic acid cascade were examined. NDGA and quercetin (lipoxygenase inhibitors) were moderately active but indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor) was much less active. Based on these results, we suggest that superoxide anion (O2-.) is required for promotion of transformation by TPA. H2O2 and 1O2 appear not to be required. Hydroxyl radicals and lipid peroxides, possibly associated with O2-. action or formed in the course of oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid also appear to be required but to a lesser extent. Products of the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism but not the cycloxygenase pathway may be important in promotion of transformation by TPA in JB6 mouse epidermal cells. The epidermal cells themselves can be both the source of and the target of the reactive oxygen in promotion.