p23 is a protein of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, preferentially synthesized in the exponentially growing tumor. In vitro, serum and actinomycin D rapidly induce p23 synthesis. Using transcription inhibitors and a wheat germ cell-free translation system, evidence is provided that the synthesis of p23 is under translational control. Actinomycin D even results in superinduction of p23. Polymerase chain reaction, cloning and sequencing of p23 cDNA suggest p23 to be identical with a 21 kDa protein of mouse erythroleukemia cells, the synthesis of which was shown to be controlled also at the translational level (Chitpatima, ST, Makrides, S., Bandyopadhyay, R., and Brawerman, G.(1988) Nucleic Acids Res. 16, 2350).