Serological and Structural Properties of Mason-Pfizer Monkey Virus Isolated from the Mammary Tumor of a Rhesus Monkey

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Abstract
We describe here serological and structural properties of a virus, Mason-Pfizer Monkey Virus (M-PMV), isolated from a simian mammary tumor. This virus is morphologically similar to the known oncogenic RNA viruses (oncornaviruses). It has a 60-70S RNA, and its replication is inhibited by actinomycin. Antisera prepared against the virus isolated by density-gradient centrifugation identify at least two viral structural antigens. Immunodiffusion studies show that this virus is serologically unrelated to three types of simian foamy viruses, visna virus, and the known oncornaviruses. Immunofluorescence reveals that the structural proteins of the virus are synthesized cytoplasmically. Although M-PMV productively infects human cells in vitro, serological analysis does not show the presence of M-PMV antigens in human neoplasia.