Chapter 12 - Inhibition of Rous Sarcoma Virus Replication by Inhibitors of Cell Replication

Abstract

This chapter presents the inhibition of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) replication by inhibitors of cell replication. RSV is the prototype RNA tumor virus. The virion of the RSV is enveloped and contains an RNA genome. The usual host for the RSV is the chicken. After entrance into a cell, the DNA polymerase associated with the viral RNA genome transcribes the viral RNA into DNA. The DNA copy of the virus genome, the provirus, becomes stably associated with the infected cell. The DNA provirus is replicated with the host cell DNA and, upon division of the infected cell, the provirus is transmitted to both daughter cells in the same fashion as normal cellular genes. The production of progeny RSV requires transcription of the DNA provirus into RNA. The replication of RSV has been studied using synchronized chicken embryo fibroblasts and a sensitive hybridization technique for detection of RSV RNA. The replication of RSV requires division of the infected cell for production of progeny virus. Cell division is required for the appearance of virus-specific RNA. Inhibitors of cell replication that prevent division of the infected cell delay the appearance of both virus-specific RNA and progeny virus. Once the infected cell has undergone division, the production of progeny virus is no longer sensitive to inhibition of cell division.