Expression of virally-transduced mouse tyrosinase in cultured chick embryo cells

A cDNA encoding mouse tyrosinase was inserted into a plasmid containing the provirus of a replication competent Avian Leukosis Virus (ALV). A viral stock produced from the plasmid was used to infect cultured tyrosinase-negative (ca/ca) unpigmented chick embryo pigment cells. Five days after infection many cells were producing very dark discrete pigment granules. Cultures of tyrosinase positive, sex linked albino (sal) pigment cells produced no additional pigmentation. White Leghorn pigment cells responded to viral infection like the sal pigment cells.