SV40 DNA in a carrier system of human glioblastoma cells

The state of the SV40 DNA in a stable carrier system of A172 human glioblastoma cells was examined by Southern blot hybridization analysis. At a sensitivity of 0.1 viral genome equivalents per cell, we detected only free, apparently nondefective, viral genomes. However, when we overexposed our autoradiograms or examined cloned cell populations, integrated viral sequences were observed. Furthermore, aberrant forms of free viral DNA were seen as well. Four clones, isolated at 15 weeks, produced T antigen and displayed enhanced saturation density and plating efficiency characteristic of SV40 transformation. None of these clones produced capsid proteins or infectious virus, even upon fusion with CV-1 cells, Viral DNA in the clones ranged from 0.5 to 50 equivalents per cell, on the average. Two of the Week-15 clones contained a similar (but not identical) predominant truncated SV40 sequence which was present both in a free state and integrated at a single major site in a reiterated head-to-tail array. These clones also contained other minor integrated sequences. Another Week-15 clone contained viral sequences integrated at two major sites as well as heterogeneous free DNA. Only free aberrant DNA was detected in the fourth Week-15 clone. Seven of eight clones isolated at 23 weeks produced no infectious virus or T antigen. No viral DNA was detected in those clones. The eighth clone did produce infectious virus and contained a predominance of free viral DNA. All of the clones were susceptible to superinfection with wild-type SV40, although less so than uninfected A172 cultures.