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Characterization of Human TK^- Cell Lines Transformed to a TK⁺ Phenotype by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 DNA

F. L. Graham

^* Departments of Pathology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4J9
Departments of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4J9

Human TK^- cells carrying the HSV-2 TK gene as a result of transformation with virus DNA express a TK activity of virus origin and maintain the TK⁺ phenotype when grown in HAT medium. Under non-selective conditions, however, reversion to a TK^- phenotype occurs with a significant frequency characteristic of each transformed line. Once reversion has occurred the TK^- phenotype appears to be stable, since only very rare instances of TK^- to TK⁺ reversion have been observed. TK^- revertants were susceptible to re-transformation by virus DNA, but no reactivation of a silent virus TK gene could be obtained by superinfecting them with a TK^- virus mutant. The data presented are consistent with the hypothesis that acquisition of the TK^- phenotype is brought about by loss of the virus sequences coding for TK.

Received 19 May 1978; accepted 25 July 1978.