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In vitro isolation of stable rat sarcoma viruses
Summary
Researchers discovered a novel rat sarcoma virus (RaSV) from spontaneously transformed rat cells. This virus, originating purely from rats, carries transformation-specific genes and differs from known murine sarcoma viruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Endogenous retroviruses can be activated from cell cultures.
- Spontaneous transformation of cells can occur during prolonged culture.
- Chemically induced tumors can harbor transforming agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transforming potential of an endogenously released rat virus (SD-RaLV).
- To identify and characterize novel sarcoma viruses from chemically transformed rat tumor cell lines.
- To determine the origin and genetic makeup of newly recovered transforming viruses.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of Sprague-Dawley rat embryo cells and serial passaging.
- Cocultivation of spontaneously transformed cells with chemically transformed rat tumor lines.
- Virus rescue assays, focus induction on normal rat kidney (NRK) cells, and genetic rescue experiments.
Main Results:
- Spontaneous release of ecotropic type C virus (SD-RaLV) from rat embryo culture.
- Recovery of rapidly fibroblast-transforming rat sarcoma viruses (RaSV) after cocultivation with tumor cells.
- Successful induction of foci on NRK cells and derivation of productive and nonproductive clones; genome rescue confirmed rat origin.
Conclusions:
- Naturally occurring transformation-specific genes have been recovered in vitro as stable rat sarcoma viruses (RaSV).
- These RaSVs are distinct from Kirsten and Harvey murine sarcoma viruses, lacking MuLV sequences and being of purely rat origin.
- The findings suggest endogenous retroviruses can acquire oncogenic potential through interaction with tumor cell components.