Induction of type C RNA virus from cultured rabbit lymphosarcoma cells.

Type C RNA virus(es) was readily released from primary lymphosarcoma cell cultures of WH/J rabbits after induction with halogenated pyrimidines. The virus contained an RNA-directed DNA polymerase and the p30 structural protein. The rabbit virus RNA-directed DNA polymerase and p30 protein shared antigenic homologies with other mammalian type C oncornaviruses but appear to also possess unique antigenic determinants. Normal rabbit liver contained DNA homologous to a 3H-labeled complementary DNA transcript of the rabbit viral genome, indicating that type C viral genetic information is present in at least the WH/J strain of rabbits.