Inhibition of expression of SV40 virus large T-antigen by antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides.

Expression of large T-antigen in COS cells can be inhibited by treatment of cell monolayers with oligodeoxyribonucleotides complementary to large T mRNA, which were covalently linked to poly-L-lysine. Strongest inhibition was observed with conjugates of oligodeoxynucleotides that hybridize to the sequence immediately 3' to the cap structure of the mRNA. Treatment of SV40 virus-infected CV-1 cells with the same conjugates reduces the virus-induced large T-antigen expression by more than 80%.