[Characteristics of A-type intracytoplasmic particles produced by human cells]. / Kharakteristika belkov vnutritsitoplazmaticheskikh chastits A-tipa, produtsiruemykh chelovecheskimi keltkami.

Radioimmunoprecipitation was used to analyse comparatively proteins in cytoplasmic A-type particles (CAP) and structural proteins of D-type virions in Hep-2 system of cultivated human cells. Proteins of CAP were iodinated and studied by electrophoresis in SDS-PAAG. In the preparations obtained, 60 000 (p60), 45 000, 42 000 and 20 000 dalton proteins wee detected. p60 was the main protein in CAP. It was precipitated by purified CAP antiserum rather than by antisera against structural proteins of D-type virions. It was thus demonstrated that the main structural protein of CAP Hep-2 cells contains no antigenic determinants of structural proteins of D-type oncoviruses.

[Physicochemical properties of the DNA of simian adenovirus type 38]. / Fiziko-khimicheskie svoistva DNK adenovirusa tipa 38 obez'ian.

The sedimentation constant, specific viscosity, and the length of DNA molecule of simian adenovirus type 38 were measured and the molecular weight was estimated. The melting temperature and buoyant densities of this virus DNA in cesium chloride and cesium sulphate density gradients were determined, and the content of GC-pairs was calculated.

Oncogenic and nononcogenic bovine adenoviruses and guanine-cytosine content of their DNA.

Bovine adenoviruses types 1, 2, and 3 were purified and concentrated by polyethylene glycol precipitation and CsCl density-gradient centrifugation. The efficiency of recovery of infective particles was 64 to 80%. The guanine-cytosine contents of DNA of the nononcogenic types 1 and 2 and the highly oncogenic type 3 were found to be 62, 61, and 48%, respectively--a pattern similar to that of nononcogenic and oncogenic human adenoviruses.

Expression of endogenous retroviral genes in leukemic guinea pig cells.

The expression of guinea pig retrovirus (5-bromodeoxyuridine[BUdR]-induced GPV) was studied in guinea pig L(2)C leukemic lymphoblasts by use of molecular hybridization of viral complementary DNA (cDNA) to cellular RNA. It was found that L(2)C leukemic lymphoblasts, leukemic spleen, and BUdR-induced virus-producing cells contain virus-specific RNA: 0.05% (800 to 960 copies per cell), 0.02% (360 copies per cell), and 0.3% (5,120 copies per cell), respectively. Adult normal liver and spleen, on the other hand, contain less than 0.2 copy of viral RNA per cell. Both BUdR-induced cells and L(2)C leukemic lymphoblasts contained 14S, 22S, 35S, and 70S RNA species of total and cytoplasmic virus-specific RNA as determined by sucrose velocity gradient analysis and hybridization of sucrose gradient fractions to cDNA. Virus-specific mRNA was identified in both BUdR-induced cells and L(2)C leukemic lymphoblasts by the criterion that it cosedimented with purified polyribosomes in a sucrose gradient and that it changed to a lower sedimentation value if polyribosomes were disaggregated with EDTA prior to centrifugation. Virus-specific mRNA obtained from either the polyribosome region of purified polyribosomes or the released messenger region of EDTA-disaggregated purified polyribosomes consisted of 14S, 20S, and 35S species in both BUdR-induced cells and L(2)C leukemic lymphoblasts. Hybridization of cDNA to the RNA of L(2)C leukemic lymphoblasts and BUdR-induced cells was essentially complete. Additionally, leukemic lymphoblast RNA could displace 95% of the hybridization of BUdR-induced GPV 70S RNA to guinea pig DNA. The midpoints of thermal denaturation of hybrids formed between GPV cDNA and the RNA of either L(2)C leukemic lymphoblasts or the 70S RNA of BUdR-induced GPV were both 89 degrees C in 2x concentrated 0.15 M NaCl plus 0.015 M sodium citrate. These results show that BUdR-induced GPV genes are essentially completely expressed in L(2)C leukemic lymphoblasts and that virus-specific mRNA is present, although fewer copies of RNA are present in L(2)C leukemic lymphoblasts than in BUdR-induced cells.

Squirrel monkey retrovirus: an endogenous virus of a new world primate.

Squirrel monkey retrovirus (SMRV) was isolated by cocultivation of squirrel monkey lung cells with canine cells. 3H-labeled 60-70S SMRV RNA, isolated from virus grown in canine cells, hybridized to the same extent and to the same Cot1/2 value to the DNA of all tissues of all squirrel monkeys tested; Cot1/2 values show that SMRV proviral sequences are present in the low repetitive range. No SMRV proviral sequences were detected in tissues from a variety of other New World monkeys, Old World monkeys, or apes. Murine, feline, bovine, and canine cells also contain no detectable SMRV proviral sequences. Competitive molecular hybridization studies revealed no detectable sequence homology between the 60-70S RNAs of SMRV and Mason-Pfizer virus (MPV). The virion-associated DNA polymerase of SMRV is similar to that of MPV in that it has a molecular weight of approximately 80,000 and prefers magnesium as a divalent cation using oligo(dG)-poly(rC) as primer-template. The virion-associated DNA polymerase of SMRV can be clearly distinguished from those of MPV and the mouse mammary tumor viruses, however, by its preference for manganese as a divalent cation in the presence of high salt.

Characterization of a retravirus isolated from squirrel monkeys.

A new retravirus (SMRV) isolated from a squirrel monkey, Saimiri sciureus, has an Mg2+-dependen reverse transcriptase and a buoyant density of 1.17 g/cm3 in sucrose and 1.21 g/cm3 in cesium chloride, similar to the mouse mammary tumor virus and the Mason-Pfizer monkey virus. The polypeptide patter of SMRV as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was distinct from the reported polypeptide patterns of known retraviruses. Four major polypeptides of molecular weights 40,000, 20,000, 14,000 and 8,000 were resolved in virus propagated in human, mink, and canine cells. In A204 human rhabdomyosarcoma cells, a protein of 73,000 daltons (gp73) represented the major viral glycoprotein as determined by [3H]glucosamine labeling. Additional proteins were also observed, but their presence depended on the cell type in which the virus was propagated. In both species-and interspecies-specific assays, no antigenic relatedness was observed between SMRV and Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, mouse mammary tumor virus, baboon endogenous virus (BaLV), woolly monkey virus (SSV-1), murine leukemia virus, endogenous feline type C virus (RD-114), bovine leukemia virus, and equine infectious anemia virus. These findings indicate that SMRV represents a new retravirus and the first isolate from a New World monkey.

Distribution of Mason-Pfizer virus-specific sequences in the DNA of primates.

Iodinated Mason-Pfizer virus (MPV) 60-70S RNA has been used in molecular hybridization experiments to determine the distribution of MPV-specific proviral sequences in the DNAs of primates. Approximately 20% of the MPV genome is present as endogenous provirus in rhesus monkeys. Competitive hybridization experiments showed no homology between MPV 60-70S RNA and the 60-70S RNAs of M7, RD-114, and the simian sarcoma virus. No MPV-specific proviral sequences were detected in the DNAs of apparently normal tissues of various species of New World monkeys, apes, and humans. The part of the MPV genome that is endogenous to rhesus is also endogenous to the other species of Old World monkeys examined: baboon, African green, and patas. This was determined as a result of the following observations: (i) C(0)t(1/2) values and final extent of hybridization were the same for all four species. (ii) T(m) values of MPV 60-70S RNA and DNA of all four species were identical. (iii) The removal of MPV sequences endogenous to rhesus tissues by recycling against rhesus DNA resulted in the loss of any hybridizable MPV RNA to the DNAs of baboon, African green, and patas tissues. (iv) Mixing experiments of rhesus, African green, and baboon DNAs resulted in the same kinetics of hybridization as did rhesus DNA alone, when hybridized with MPV 60-70S RNA. These findings demonstrate that sequences that constitute an integral part of the MPV genome are conserved in the DNAs of several different species of Old World monkeys.

African green monkey fibroblast actin morphology during SV40 infection.

Monkey skin fibroblasts were infected with simian virus 40. Cells that exhibited the viral tumor antigen were found to retain the normal morphology of actin filaments up to six days after infection. However when cells were transformed in terms of focus formation they had lost the normal actin morphology.

Radioimmunoassay for the major structural protein of Mason-Pfizer monkey virus: Attempts to detect the presence of antigen or antibody in humans.

The 25,000 dalton protein of Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV) was isolated by gel filtration chromatography. In agreement with results from other laboratories, antisera to type-C and the non-type-C bovine leukemia and equine infectious anemia viruses did not precipitate 125I-labelled MPMV p25. In addition, these viruses did not cross-react in a competition radioimmunoassay for MPMV p25. Twenty-one human tissues (15 breast carcinomas, 2 normal breasts, 3 acute myelogenous leukemias and 1 sarcoma) were fractionated by detergent solubilization, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and DE-52 anion exchange chromatography. These methods were shown to be highly effective for purification of MPMV p25. Under assay conditions which minimized incubation damage to the 125I-MPMV p25, all tissues failed to react in the competition radioimmunoassay (RIAT). Two hundred and two human sera or plasma specimens, including those from patients with breast cancer and 33 age-matched controls, from 50 patients with hematologic malignancies, from 12 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and from 14 patients with systemic lupus erythematosis, were examined for antibodies to MPMV p25. With the exception of two multiple myeloma plasma which produced artifactual false positive reactions based on hypergammaglobulinemia, a known complication of salt precipitation radioimmunoassays, the remainder of the specimens were negative for evidence of MPMV p25 antibodies.

Characterization of tumour virus proteins. II. Expression of the protein P30 in transformed productive and non-productive Ki/NRK cells.

The structural protein of murine tumour virus P30 has been measured by radioimmunoassay. The titer of each serum was determined by using as antigen the purified Rauscher viral protein labeled with 125iodine. Standard competition curve was constructed in order to determine the equivalent of protein to inhibit the precipitation reaction under limited antibody concentration. Competition by purifed Kirsten virus suspension, normal rat kidney cells, transformed-productive and transformed non-productive cells were measured in homologous and heterologous system. Type, group and interspecies determinants were characterized using the proper antigen-antibody system. Once the proteins have interspecie determinants, it is possible that we might be able to use some mammalian virus protein as tool to determine the presence of viral protein in human processes.

Physical, chemical and serological properties of C-type virus associated with transplantable rat Thurzo-Svee leukemia.

Cells of rat Thurzo-Svee leukemia produce C-type virus. Viral particles are shown to contain high-molecular weight RNA and RNA-dependent DNA polymerase the virus possesses mammalian gs-3 antigen and rat species-specific gs-1 antigen and thus appears to be of rat origin.

Identification and isolation of the major core protein from the oncornavirus-like particle in human milk.

Subviral cores have been prepared from the oncornavirus-like particle found in human milks with the use of phospholipase C and ether or Sterox SL. The major protein of these cores has a molecular weight of 27,000 daltons, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This protein is found in the core fractions of reverse transcriptase-positive milks and is absent in negative milks. It is distributed in sucrose gradients only in those fractions containing cores and reverse transcriptase activity. The major core protein of the human milk oncornavirus-like particle is electrophoretically identical to the major core protein of the mouse mammary tumor virus.

Equine infectious anemia virus: evidence favoring classification as a retravirus.

Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) has a density of 1.154 g/cm3 in sucrose a high-molecular-weight RNA similar in size to Rauscher murine leukemia virus, and an internal virion reverse transcriptase that utilizes the synthetic RNA template poly(rA) but not the synthetic DNA template poly(dA), both with (dT)12 as primer. Although capable of utilizing manganese at low concentrations (approximately 0.1 mM), EIAV reverse transcriptase showed highest activity in the presence of 9 mM magnesium. The major protein of EIAV has a slightly lower molecular weight than the comparable protein of type C viruses and co-electrophoresed with 125I-labeled p25 of Mason-Pfizer monkey virus. A reference horse serum with antibodies to the major EIAV protein reacted only with EIAV and not with other type C or non-type C retraviruses. Reciprocally, a broadly reactive serum to type C virus p30s and specific sera to a variety of non-type C retraviruses did not react with EIAV. We recommend the inclusion of EIAV in the family Retraviridae.

Configurational variants of oncornavirus RNAs.

Heating oncornavirus RNAs at temperatures insufficient for complete denaturation results in forms migrating between the native form (vRNA) and the completely denatured form (vRNA) after gel electrophoresis. Intermediate forms from Rous sarcoma virus or murine leukemia virus were isolated after heating of vRNA's at 58 degrees C and sedimenting in sucrose gradients, and at least four intermediates could be identified in each case. Melting of feline virus (RD-114) RNA produced one major intermediate which required a comparatively high temperature to denature, and a second intermediate occurring in conditions of low ionic strength. Although the subunit model for oncornavirus RNA is not excluded by these data, we propose that vRNA, vRNA', and intermediates may be configurational variants of the same molecule, and a monomer model for oncornavirus RNA is presented.

Biochemical evidences for ribonucleic acid viral-like characteristics in malignant diseases of gastrointestinal tract and lung in humans.

It has been demonstrated that malignant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and lung in humans possess three characteristics invariably found in ribonucleic acid tumor viruses: the presence of a ribonucleic acid directed deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase, reverse transcriptase; a high molecular weight ribonucleic acid with a sedimentation coefficient of 70 Svedberg units, and particulate elements with densities of 1.16 to 1.18 grams per milliliter sucrose gradient. Twelve of 17 carcinomas of the colon, three of five carcinomas of the stomach, all three carcinomas of the rectum and seven of ten carcinomas of the lung displayed detectable evidence of these viral-like entities. None of the corresponding normal tissues had positive reactions.

Characterization of the oncornavirus particles in the plasma of guinea pigs with L2C leukemia.

The inoculation of L2C guinea pig leukemia cells into strain 2 guinea pigs results in the death of the animals within 12 to 15 days. Death is preceded by the simultaneous appearance in the plasma of (i) elevated leukocyte levels, (ii) extracellular virus particles, and (iii) a particle-associated RNA-directed DNA polymerase. This enzyme activity has a cation preference identical to that of the type B bromodeoxyuridine-induced guinea pig virus, i.e., an Mg2+ optimum at 20 mM and no activity using Mn2+. Competitive molecular hybridization studies also revealed that the plasma of leukemic guinea pigs contained approximately 2 X 10(9) genome equivalents per ml of an RNA that is homologous to the RNA of the bromodeoxyuridine-induced guinea pig virus. Morphological observations indicate that most, but not all, of the extracellular particles observed in leukemia plasma are derived from the intracisternal particles seen in the L2C tumor cells. The possibilities that either two viral populations are present or that the in vivo morphogenesis of the type B bromodexoyuridine-inducible guinea pig virus is markedly different from its in vitro morphogenesis are discussed.