Analysis of minimal functions of simian virus 40. I. Oncogenic transformation of Syrian hamster kidney cells in vitro by photodynamically inactivated SV40

Benzo[a]pyrene metabolism in cells productively infected with simian virus 40

The metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) by cell cultures and cell-free extracts of the monkey kidney cell line CV-1 was studied in uninfected and Simian virus 40 (SV40) infected cells. Metabolites formed were separated by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and quantified by liquid scintillation techniques. The profiles metabolites formed by uninfected and SV40 infected cells were similar except that SV40 infected cell cultures metabolized BP at an increased rate relative to uninfected cells. In addition, SV40 infected cell cultures and cell-free extracts produced an unknown compound which eluted between the 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene and BP fractions. This material does not have a retention time characteristic of any of the known metabolites of BP. Labelled BP and/or its metabolites were bound to the viral DNA and histone components of intracellular viral minichromosomes as well as the viral DNA and proteins of mature virions.

Properties of cells transformed by DNA tumor viruses

Transformation by the papovaviruses, SV40 and polyoma, is reviewed briefly, including factors that affect the frequency of transformation. Virus markers useful in the determination of the etiology of virus-free tumors are described, including viral DNA, viral mRNA, virus-induced antigens, and the rescue of infectious virus. Finally, the evidence that viral genes are involved in the maintenance of transformation is presented.

Demonstration of oncogenic potential of mammalian cells transformed by DNA-containing viruses following photodynamic inactivation

The oncogenic properties of hamster embryo cells transformed by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) and SV40 virus following photodynamic inactivation using neutral red were determined by subcutaneous inoculation into newborn Syrian hamsters. Cells transformed by all three viruses produced palpable tumors after different latent periods. Histopathological examination showed that HSV-2 tumors were fibrosarcomas and metastases were often seen in the lungs. HSV-2 primary tumors were reinoculated subcutaneously into weanling hamsters; they developed palpable tumors within 2 weeks. HSV-specific antigens were detected in the cytoplasm and/or on the surface of both the HSV-1 and HSV-2 tumor-cell cultures by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. The same method revealed SV40 tumor antigen in the nuclei of the SV40 tumor cells. Sera from HSV or SV40 tumor-bearing hamsters gave positive reactions when tested against HSV-infected hamster cells or SV40-infected monkey cells, respectively. These results demonstrate that herpes simplex virus and SV40, whose infectivity was lost following photodynamic inactivation, retained the virus genetic information necessary for transformation of normal cells to an oncogenic phenotype.

Analysis of minimal functions of simian virus 40. 3. Evidence for "host cell repair" of oncogenicity and infectivity of UV-irradiated simian virus 40

The in vitro transforming capacity of simian virus 40 (SV40) for Syrian hamster cells is highly resistant to inactivation by UV light in comparison to infectivity. In the same cell system, we demonstrated a "host cell repair mechanism" sensitive to caffeine which is, to a large extent, responsible for the high resistance to UV inactivation of the transforming capacity of SV40. The survival of infectivity of UV-irradiated SV40 in CV-1 cells was also sensitive to caffeine, again indicating host cell repair. On the other hand, depression of normal cell DNA synthesis by hydroxyurea during the first 24 h postinfection only modestly reduced, and to a similar extent, the transforming capacity of UV-irradiated and nonirradiated SV40.

Analysis of minimal functions of simian virus 40. II. Enhancement of oncogenic transformation in vitro by UV irradiation

After light UV irradiation (5,000 to 10,000 ergs/mm(2)) "complete" and "defective" simian virus 40 (SV40) showed an enhancement of oncogenic transformation capacity in Syrian hamster kidney cells in vitro up to 180 and 270% of the controls, respectively. Simultaneously with the enhancement of transformation, an increase in T-antigen induction was observed in CV-1 cells infected with light UV-irradiated SV40; infectivity, however, was correspondingly reduced by 1 log(10). After strong UV irradiation (10,000 to 80,000 ergs/mm(2)) of "complete" and "defective" SV40, transformation capacity in vitro proved to be the most resistant viral function. It was only slightly reduced in comparison with a 4 to 5 log(10) reduction of infectivity. T-antigen induction of SV40 was also equally resistant to strong UV irradiation. We found no evidence of "multiplicity reactivation" involved in the high resistance of transformation capacity of SV40 after UV irradiation. Syrian hamster kidney cells transformed in vitro by UV-irradiated SV40 contained the SV40-specific T-antigen and showed the same morphology and growth characteristics as cells transformed by non-irradiated "complete" or "defective" SV40. They induced malignant tumors after subcutaneous inoculation into Syrian hamsters.