The detection of virus DNA sequences in a herpes type 2 transformed hamster cell line (333-8-9).

Herpes simplex virus type 2 DNA labelled in vitro with 125I has been used as a probe to search for virus DNA sequences in the 333-8-9 line of transformed primary hamster cells and in clines derived from the line. Virus DNA sequences were present when the cells were examined initially but these sequences were lost on subsequent handling. No virus sequences were detected in clones derived from the line. It is suggested that the presence of virus DNA is an unstable characteristic of the cell line and that these sequences may be lost at cell division. The possibility that a small fragment of the genome remains cannot be excluded.