DNA synthesis, morphology, specific RNA accumulation and rates of specific protein synthesis in GM-CSF stimulated bone marrow progenitor cells were studied. DNA synthesis increased markedly for 64 hours and then gradually decreased to 5% maximal activity by 160 hours. Morphologic examination 40 to 64 hours after stimulation revealed an increasing proportion of immature myeloid cells. After this proliferative peak, cells differentiated into segmented neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages; only mature forms were present by 160 hours. Accumulation of mRNA for c-myb and c-myc was maximal at 40 hours just prior to maximal [3H]thymidine incorporation, while maximal accumulation of histone type 3 (H3) was coincident with maximal [3H]thymidine incorporation at 64 hours. As proliferation decreased and differentiation proceeded, levels of mRNA for c-myb and H3 decreased markedly, while levels of RNA for c-myc decreased gradually and remained elevated above day 0 levels. Levels of c-fos mRNA fluctuated slightly during the first 64 hours of culture and increased 13-fold by 160 hours when mature cells were present. Similarly, beta-2 microglobulin mRNA increased steadily to maximal levels at 112 to 160 hours which were 15-fold higher than day 0 levels. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) mRNA was present in maximal amounts at 40 to 64 hours after stimulation with GM-CSF as the number of immature myeloid cells peaked. Immunoprecipitation of MPO from pulse-labeled cell lysates demonstrated a 7-fold rise in synthetic rate of MPO of 64 hours and a 28-fold decline by 160 hours when only 5% immature myeloid cells were present. Thus, MPO protein synthesis closely follows MPO mRNA accumulation. Immunoprecipitation of lactoferrin, a marker of myeloid secondary granules, demonstrated a gradual 5-fold increase in synthetic rate as the cells matured. Taken together, these data show that maximal expression of the early myeloid differentiation enzyme myeloperoxidase in GM-CSF stimulated normal bone marrow cells occurs during peak proliferation of immature myeloid cells.