Two classes of transformation-deficient, immortalization-positive simian virus 40 mutants constructed by making three-base insertions in the T antigen gene.

We constructed two mutants of simian virus 40 (SV40) by introducing a three-base duplication at AvaII cutting sites within the large T antigen coding region, and we examined these mutants for their abilities to replicate in monkey GC7 cells, to transform rat cell line 3Y1 cells, and to transform and immortalize primary cells from newborn rats. Neither of the mutants could replicate in GC7 cells. One mutant with the duplication at 0.335 SV40 map units (m.u.) (inA942) could transform 3Y1 cells, but the other mutant with the duplication at 0.636 m.u. (inA941) could not. The two mutants could not transform primary rat cells but retained immortalization activity. The results suggest that transformation of primary cells by SV40 requires at least two distinct activities of the large T antigen, one of which can be replaced by a cellular function(s) expressed in immortalized 3Y1 cells.