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Studies of Temperature Sensitive Mutants of Polyoma Virus

Citation

Fried, Michael (1966) Studies of Temperature Sensitive Mutants of Polyoma Virus. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/MP3Y-5Q07. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:09292015-103236585

Abstract

Polyoma virus can undergo two different types of interactions with susceptible cells; one type of interaction leads to the production of new infectious virus and eventual cell death while the other leads to a neoplastically transformed cell which is able to continue to divide under conditions that inhibit the multiplication of uninfected normal cells. In order to study the viral genes involved in both of these virus-cell interactions the isolation of temperature sensitive mutants of polyoma virus was undertaken.

Two strains (TS-a, TS-b) which were temperature sensitive in their plaque forming ability at 38.5˚C, but not at 31.5˚C, were isolated from a mutagenized stock of the polyoma wild type virus (PY). TS-a was studied in further detail.

TS-a grown at 31.5˚C was found to be indistinguishable from PY in a number of physical characteristics including the heat sensitivity of the completed viral components. TS-a was inhibited in its ability to produce infectious virus in mouse cells when incubated at 38.5˚C; this inhibition could be overcome by infection with high multiplicities.

The nature of the intracellular temperature sensitive step of TS-a was analysed to some degree. It was found that this step occurs after uncoating of the infecting virus particles and about the time of new viral DNA synthesis. New infectious viral DNA does not appear to be made at the nonpermissive temperature; in contrast noninfectious capsids are made at 38.5˚C, but in amounts smaller than a full yield, such as made by TS-a at 31.5˚C or by PY at both the high and low temperature.

TS-a has also been found to be temperature sensitive in its transforming ability in vitro. Cells transformed at 31.5˚C by TS-a retain their transformed characteristics upon cultivation at 38.5˚C. Thus the temperature sensitive function seems to be important for the initiation of transformation, but not essential for the maintenance of the transformed state. TS-a also appears to be temperature sensitive in the production of tumors in newborn hamsters.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:(Virology and Chemistry)
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Biology
Major Option:Biology
Minor Option:Chemistry
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Dulbecco, Renato
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:9 June 1965
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
Nutrition Foundation112
Arthur McCallum FundUNSPECIFIED
United States Public Health Service5T1 GM86
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:09292015-103236585
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:09292015-103236585
DOI:10.7907/MP3Y-5Q07
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:9182
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By:INVALID USER
Deposited On:30 Sep 2015 15:59
Last Modified:28 Feb 2024 17:17

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