Transformation of primate and rodent cells by temperature-sensitive mutants of SV40.

Cells of mouse, hamster, human and monkey origin were transformed by wild-type SV40 and by temperature-sensitive mutants defective in gene A. The mutant-transformed cells appear to be temperature sensitive for maintenance of transformation. Evidence of reversion of the transformed phenotype of nonpermissive temperatures was obtained in experiments which assayed saturation density, colony formation, and uptake of 2-deoxy-D-glucose. In addition, S antigen modulated in shift experiments while T antigen did not. Based on these results, a model is presented for the mechanism of transformation by SV40.