Biological and physical modifications of a murine oncornavirus by 2-deoxy-D-glucose

2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) inhibited the release of transforming Kirsten murine sarcoma-leukemia virus [KiMSV(KiMuLV)] from transformed rat kidney (NRK-K) cells. At a concentration of 30 mM 2-DG, RNA synthesis in NRK-K cells was inhibited by approximately 30 percent and protein synthesis was inhibited by as much as 80 percent of control levels. RNA synthesis was not inhibited in nontransformed normal rat kidney (NRK) cells, although protein synthesis was equally suppressed in NRK and NRK-K cells. After treatment with 2-DG, the release of physical particles of KiMSV(KiMuLV) from NRK-K cels was not reduced as determined by equilibrium density gradient centrifugation and assays for RNA-dependent DNA polymerase of culture fluids. The ability to detect virion-associated radioactivity in equilibrium density gradients was dependent on the conditions of labeling. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of KiMSV(KiMulLV) proteins revealed marked structural alterations after propagation of the virus in 30 mM 2-DG. These alterations may account for the observed loss of transforming ability of KiMSV(KiMuLV).