Restricted replication of frog virus 3 in selected variants of BHK cells.

Synthesis and maturation of frog virus 3 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in BHK cells and selected variants, in chick fibroblasts, and in minnow cells were compared. Wide ranges in rates of DNA synthesis and assembly of virions were found. At least three variants of BHK cells can be obtained: (i) fully permissive, characterized by rapid DNA synthesis and assembly to give a high yield of infective virus; (ii) semipermissive, in which viral DNA is synthesized slowly for extended periods of time, and the yield of infective virus is poor; and (iii) nonpermissive, in which virus adsorbs to cells and arrests host functions but viral DNA is not synthesized. Kinetics of appearance of virions and procedures for their separation from cell extracts are described.