Role of src gene in growth regulation of Rous sarcoma virus-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts

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Abstract
A study of the mechanisms leading to loss of growth control in chicken embryo fibroblasts transformed by Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) was reported. The role of the src gene in this process was of particular interest. RSV mutants temperature sensitive (ts) for transformation were used to investigate the nature of the growth regulatory lesion. The stationary phase of the cell cycle (G1) in chick embryo fibroblasts seems to have 2 distinct regulatory compartments. When rendered stationary at 41.5.degree. C by serum deprivation, normal cells enter a Q state, but cells infected with the ts-mutant occupy an A state. Whereas normal cells can occupy either state depending on culture conditions, the ts-infected cells, at 41.5.degree. C, do not seem to enter Q even though a known src gene product, a kinase, is reported to be inactive at this temperature. The possibility that viral factors other than the active src protein kinase influence growth control in infected cultures was discussed.