[Different transactivation processes in two bovine leukemia virus producing cell lines]

Comparative studies were conducted through more than six months into quantitative of bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) antigen of FLC/BLV 44 and its FLC/BLV 44-4 subline by means of an enzyme immuno-assay (EIA), using monoclonal antibodies against gp51 and p24. Synthesis of gp51 (factors of two to six) and of p24 (factor of two) by FLC/BLV 44 was clearly higher than that by FLC/BLV 44-4. The transactivation status in either line was determined by transfer of the beta-galactosidase indicator organ under transcription control of BLV-LTR (in pBLV beta Gal plasmid). Transient experiments showed beta-galactosidase activity in the FLC/BLV 44 to be clearly higher than that in subline FLC/BLV 44-4. There is obviously in both cell lines a close correlation between intensity of BLV antigen synthesis and transactivation processes.