[DNA from retrovirus D-infected cells and from human tumors: an inducer of the synthesis of a new nonvirion antigen].

The role of intracellular DNA from HEp-2 cell culture chronically infected with retrovirus D in generation of new non-virion antigen associated with this virus was studied. In transfection experiments, 23 DNA samples obtained from cells of variously localized human tumors were studied for the capacity to induce a new antigen of the same specificity. The DNA obtained from HEp-2 cells was found to be capable of inducing the new antigen production in a number of cells systems. The original cells contained no such antigen before inoculation. DNAs from 14 cancer tumors of the mammary glands, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract induced the synthesis of the new antigen in vitro and other cells indicating the presence of these tumor cells of at least a portion of viral genome responsible for the synthesis of the new retrovirus D-associated antigen. No production of this antigen was induced by any of the 6 specimens of normal tissues.