Replication and interaction of virus DNA and cellular DNA in mouse cells infected by a human adenovirus.

C57 black mouse cells infected with human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) produced large amounts of early virus proteins, small amounts of late virus proteins and less than 0.2 infectious units (i.u.)/cell of infectious virus. Many cells died but the cultures recovered. Virus DNA and cellular DNA were synthesized. Some Ad5 DNA sedimented with cell DNA in alkaline sucrose, but virus DNA was rapidly lost from the culture after recovery and none of 28 unselected cloned survivors contained detectable amounts of virus DNA or antigens. Ad5 ts36 was temperature-sensitive for virus DNA replication in mouse cells, but ts125 was detective at 32.5 degrees C as well as at 39.9 degrees C. No difference was detected in the percentage of virus DNA that sedimented in alkali with cell DNA, in mouse cells infected by Ad5 ts+, ts36 or ts125 at 32.5 or 39.9 degrees C. All parts of the virus genome were equally represented in virus DNA that sedimented with cell DNA, in mouse cells infected by Ad5 ts+ or ts36 at either temperature.