Gene expression of Abelson murine leukemia virus.

Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) represents a simple genetic system with which to study genes capable of transforming specific lymphoid target cells. A-MuLV encodes a single known protein of 120,000 molecular weight (P120). A portion of this molecule is expressed at the cell surface but its function is not known. Serological reagents specific for P120 can be produced in mice regressing A-MuLV syngeneic tumors. Such sera identify a protein in normal mouse lymphoid tissues which may represent the cellular gene from which A-MuLV was derived.