Alterations in surface glycoproteins and level of sialyltransferase activity of human embryo kidney cells infected with oncogenic adenovirus type 12.

Human embryo kidney (HEK) cells infected with adenovirus type 12 and its cytocidal mutants (Cyt) synthesized different glycoproteins respectively on the cell surface at the early stage of infection. Furthermore, a less and a highly tumorigenic Cyt mutants synthesized different glycoproteins. The level of sialyltransferase activity in the microsomes of HEK cells was increased when cells were infected with adenovirus type 12. It was confirmed that there was a positive correlation between the sialyltransferase activity in the microsomes and tumorigenicity.