SOURCE OF GENETIC INFORMATION FOR SPECIFIC COMPLEMENT-FIXING ANTIGENS IN SV40 VIRUS-INDUCED TUMORS

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Abstract
Postinfection monkey sera, containing neutralizing and complement-fixing (CF) anti-SV40 viral antibodies, failed to react with SV40 tumor CF antigens. The sera of tumor-bearing hamsters, containing CF antibodies for tumor antigens, failed to react with SV49 virus-infected BS-C-1 cultures, containing only viral antigen, and lacked even traces of viral neutralizing antibodies. However, soon after infection of normal cells with SV40 virus and during the period of maximal viral synthesis CF antigens are synthesized which are not demonstrable in the viral particles but are indistinguishable from the specific CF antigens present in continuously transplanted SV40 tumors. The "tumorlike," infected normal cell antigens (INCA) disappear as the cytopathic effect progresses to completion and the CF antigens of the viral particles reach their maximum concentration. The virual CF antigens are relatively stable at 56[degree]C/30 minute and are completely sedimented with the virus particles, while the INCA and tumor antigens are completely destroyed at 56[degree]C/30 minute and remain in the virus-free, centrifuged supernatant fluids. The demonstration that the CF antibodies in the sera of tumor-bearing hamsters can be completely removed by absorption with SV40 virus INCA is the basis for the conclusion that the genetic information for the synthesis of the tumor CF antigens is derived entirely either from provirus or from another incomplete form of the SV40 viral genome continuously transmitted in the tumor cells.