Search for human tumour viruses by transfection: uptake of melanoma and Epstein-Barr virus DNA by human cells.
In a model system, consistent transfection of chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) by DNA from the XC cell line occurred, with recovery of infectious Rous sarcoma virus. The techniques were then applied in attempts to recover possible human tumour viruses. Even with various modifications of the XC technique, DNA from three human malignant melanoma cell lines failed to infect adult or foetal human fibroblasts, although melanoma DNA was taken up into nuclei of target cells. XC DNA did not transfect human foetal fibroblasts and melanoma DNA was ineffective in CEF. DNA from the Raji (Epstein-Barr virus non-producer) and QIMR-WIL (producer) lymphoblastoid cell lines did not transfect human cord blood lymphocytes or amnion cells. These broadly applicable techniques therefore failed to recover EB virus, the putative melanoma retrovirus, or other potential tumour virus.
D000818:Animals; D001358:Avian Sarcoma Viruses / Q000235:genetics; D002460:Cell Line; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000382:microbiology*; D009858:Oncogenic Viruses / Q000235:genetics*
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D004279:DNA, Viral