Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is a potent regulator of many cell functions and a growth inhibitor for mammary epithelial cells. We now know of three highly homologous members of the human TGF-beta gene family. We have studied the expression of TGF-beta 1, -beta 2, and -beta 3 mRNA in four human breast cancer cell lines. Using the RNase protection assay, we have detected mRNA expression of TGF-beta 1, -beta 2, and -beta 3 by T-47D cells, TGF-beta 1 and -beta 3 by ZR-75-1 cells, and TGF-beta 1 by MCF-7 cells. Treatment of these estrogen receptor-positive cells with 10 nM estradiol for 48 h resulted in decreased mRNA levels of TGF-beta 2 and -beta 3 but did not affect mRNA levels of TGF-beta 1. Expression of TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2 mRNA by an estrogen receptor-negative cell line, MDA-MB-231, was not changed by estradiol treatment. Treatment of cells with the antiestrogen tamoxifen (1 microM) did not significantly alter mRNA levels for any of the three TGF-beta species. We have further determined that estradiol treatment of T-47D was associated with diminished secretion of TGF-beta into the medium. Both TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2 inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells, and neither protein affected the growth of T-47D cells. TGF-beta 1 was at least 10-fold more potent than TGF-beta 2 at inhibiting the growth of MCF-7 cells.