To develop cell lines which respond to both a physiological cytokine and chemical agents by the induction of differentiation pathway, factor dependent B6SUtA murine bone marrow cells were transfected with the erythropoietin receptor (EpoR). Clones were obtained that exhibited different sensitivities to erythopoietin (Epo), with one clone exhibiting erythroid differentiation in response to Epo, while in another Epo acted as a proliferation stimulus. Moreover, parental B6SUtA cells were sensitive to the initiation of differentiation by butyrate, diazepam and hemin. Thus, B6SUtA cells appear to represent a unique model to dissect the signaling molecules involved in the growth and differentiation pathways employed by Epo and non-physiological chemicals.