Expression of Viral Oncogenes in Differentiating Chick Embryo Neuroretinal Cells Infected with Avian Tumor Viruses

Abstract

Malignant transformation by avian tumor viruses (ATVs) results in significant changes in regulation of cell growth. Evaluation of such changes in regulation of growth of chick embryo fibroblasts, which multiply in vitro, requires experimental conditions that restrict the growth of normal cells. In contrast, cells of the chick embryo neuroretina (NR) have limited growth capacity in vitro. Therefore, we have chosen cells from this tissue, as a host system, to study the effects of avian oncovirus infection on induction of cellular DNA synthesis and cell multiplication in a population of resting cells.