Nucleic acid homology studies of SV 40 virus-transformed and normal hamster cells.

Abstract

A DNA-RNA homology technique demonstrated the presence in normal hamster cells of DNA base sequences homologous to DNA from SV40 [Simian virus-40]. Comparatively more homology was found with DNA from virus-free hamster cells containing SV40 T antigen which had undergone either morphologic transformation subsequent to infection with SV40 virus, or a change in growth potential in agar subsequent to infection with purified SV40 DNA. DNA from the cells infected with SV40 DNA which lost their ability to produce T antigen also lacked a detectable increase in homology with SV40 DNA. The findings provide evidence that SV40 DNA is present in a stable, heritable association with DNA of SV40-transformed cells, and that the viral genome is responsible for the production of the SV40-specific T antigen.