Effects of the src gene product on microfilament and microtubule organization in avian and mammalian cells infected with the same temperature-sensitive mutant of rous sarcoma virus

Abstract

We have studied cytoskeletal organization in both mammalian (rat kidney cells) and avian cells (chick embryo fibroblasts) that have been transformed with temperature-sensitive src gene mutants of Rous sarcoma virus. The functioning of the src gene in rat cells affected the organization of actin-containing microfilament bundles, but not microtubules at the permissive temperature for transformation. These cells formed colonies in soft agar at permissive temperature, but not at nonpermissive temperature. In contrast, the src gene product affected both microtubule and microfilament organization in chick embryo fibroblasts at permissive temperature.