A Continuous Line of Rous Sarcoma Virus-Transformed Chick Embryo Cells

A continuous line of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)-transformed chick embryo cells was established. The cells, designated RTAZ-1, which constitute the only known line of continuously growing RSV-transformed cells of chick embryo origin, grow rapidly, display uniform morphology, and perpetually release large amounts of RSV (Rous-associated virus, type 1). RT AZ-1 cells display a heteroploid chromosome complement with 92-94 chromosomes predominating, as well as a large number of microchromosomes characteristic of chicken cells. Molecular hybridization studies demonstrated that DNA from these cells hybridized with normal chick DNA but not with human (KB) cell DNA, thus providing additional evidence of the chicken origin of RTAZ-1.