[Integration and transfection of an arbovirus by mammalian cells].

A system: L cells chronically infected with Sindbis virus was studied. Unlike acute infection wherein the mature virions are produced, the chronically infected tissue culture produces subviral structures-infectious ribonucleoproteins. Molecular hybridization experiments revealed the integration of the viral genome (DNA-transcript) into the cellular genome. Transfection experiments showed the possibility to induce the synthesis of the virus in sensitive cells treated with DNA from the chronically infected cells.