Virus Specified Enzyme Activity and RNA Species in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Transformed Mouse Cells

M.R.C. Virology Unit, Church Street, Glasgow G11 5JR, Scotland LMTK - cells infected with u.v.-irradiated herpes simplex virus type 1 have been selected for the presence of the enzyme thymidine kinase. These cells have an altered morphology compared to the control cells and contain herpes-specific antigens in their cytoplasm. The thymidine kinase activity present in these cells has been shown, on the basis of a number of biochemical properties, to be identical to the herpes virus specified deoxypyrimidine kinase found during lytic infection of this virus. In addition it has been possible to detect herpes simplex-specific RNA sequences in the transformed cells and this occurs in both the polyadenylated and non-polyadenylated cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions. * Present address: Centre de Biochimie, Université de Nice, Parc Valrose 06, Nice, France. Received 2 February 1976; accepted 29 April 1976.