Human Diploid Cell Transformation by DNA Extracted from the Tumor Virus SV40

Abstract

The DNA isolated from simian virus 40 (SV40) can transform human fibroblast cells in tissue culture. Clonal lines of DNA-transformed human cells have been obtained that have properties characteristic of cells transformed by whole virus. They all contain SV40 T-antigen, and infectious virus can be recovered by cocultivation. This is the first demonstration of a permanent genetic alteration produced in human cells by purified DNA.