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Herpes simplex virus (type 1) thymidine kinase gene does not transform cells morphologically
Summary
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can independently cause morphological and biochemical cell transformations. The HSV-1 thymidine kinase (TK) gene is a potential tool for assessing gene transforming potential.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- BALB/c-derived 10E2 cells were rendered thymidine kinase (TK)-negative.
- A specific clone, B2, was selected for studying transformations induced by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
- Untransformed B2 cells exhibited a normal morphology and were nontumorigenic in nude mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent roles of morphological and biochemical transformations induced by HSV-1.
- To evaluate the potential of the HSV-1 thymidine kinase (TK) gene as a vehicle for gene transfer and transformation studies.
Main Methods:
- B2 cells were infected with UV-inactivated HSV-1 (UV-HSV) and cultured in normal or TK-selective media.
- Morphological changes were observed in cells cultured in normal medium.
- Biochemical transformation was assessed by gene transfection and selection for TK expression.
- Tumorigenicity of transformed cells was tested in nude mice.
Main Results:
- UV-HSV infection in normal medium induced morphological transformation, resulting in spindle-shaped cells that were tumorigenic and TK-negative.
- UV-HSV infection or HSV-1 TK gene transfection in selective medium led to biochemical transformation, characterized by normal cell morphology, TK expression, and nontumorigenicity.
- Morphological and biochemical transformations were found to be independent events.
Conclusions:
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can induce independent morphological and biochemical transformations in cells.
- The HSV-1 TK gene serves as a suitable marker for biochemical transformation and can be utilized for introducing other genes to assess their transforming potential.