An established melanoma cell line (MM96L) was transfected with selectable plasmid constructs encoding either whole SV40 large T antigen, or beta-galactosidase fusions with the retinoblastoma protein (Rb)-binding region of SV40 large T antigen and a nonbinding mutant derivative of it. Both of the beta-galactosidase fusions also encoded the large T nuclear targeting signal. Transcription of inserted genes was regulated through a Zn+2-inducible metallothionein IA promoter, which provides tight but not absolute control of expression. Only the wild-type large T segment fusion was functionally active in the binding of Rb protein. Stable lines derived from primary transfectants with the expression plasmid encoding the mutant large T segment fusion showed a normal FACS scan profile, a normal growth rate, and (upon induction) high levels of nuclear staining for beta-galactosidase. However, cells transfected with the wild-type (Rb-binding) large T segment fusion grew slowly, with surviving clones assuming a predominantly tetraploid karyotype and relatively much lower levels of beta-galactosidase activity upon Zn+2 induction. The latter cells, but not those transfected with the corresponding non-Rb-binding fusion construct, also exhibited elevated cell death and apoptosis in response to the inducer Zn+2. These results implied that expression of an Rb-binding protein has deleterious effects on the melanoma cell line growth and may reflect a role for Rb of a related pocket protein in maintaining the differentiation state of these transformed cells.