Tumor-specific transplantation antigen is expressed during SV40 lytic infection with wild-type and tsA mutant viruses

Abstract

The expression of SV40 tumor-specific transplantation antigen (TSTA) in SV40-infected monkey cells has been assayed using detergent extracts of cell membranes and cytosol to immunize mice prior to an SV40 ascites-tumor challenge. TSTA is expressed during infection of CV-1 cells by wild-type SV40 and by a temperature-sensitive A mutant. Following infection by the tsA mutant, TSTA [like the tumor antigen (TA) but unlike viral DNA, capsid proteins, and mature virus] appears both at restrictive (40.5°) as well as at permissive (33°) temperatures. Kinetic studies show that the initial appearance of TSTA and TA is concurrent.