Differential effects of DNA tumor virus nuclear oncogene products on adipocyte differentiation.

We have introduced SV40 and polyoma large T antigen- and adenovirus-type 12 E1A genes into mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells to study the ability of various nuclear oncogene products to modulate cell differentiation. Clones expressing E1A products could differentiate into adipocytes faster than the control in spite of the absence of adipogenic inducers, as measured by the appearance of lipid droplets microscopically and by staining accumulated triglycerides with oil red O. However, clones expressing SV40 and polyoma large T antigens could not differentiate even if they were exposed to the inducers.