HCMV specific expression in HEL cells transformed by Xba I endonuclease fragmented HCMV-DNA

The transfection of subconfluent monolayers of HEL cells with Xba I endonuclease fragmented HCMV-DNA resulted in a large number of morphologically transformed foci. The frequency of focus formation of Xba I fragmented DNA increased after TPA treatment of the cells. The morphologically altered cells showed specific reactivity with anti-HCMV serum pool in the nuclear and perinuclear region and in the cytoplasm. The HCMV-32P-labelled probe DNA has been specifically hybridized to the cells of morphologically altered foci. The autoradiographic grains were localized in both nucleic and cytoplasm of the cells showing a specific hybridization between the probe DNA and nuclear as well as polyribosomal RNA.