Instability of v-src sequences in nonhuman primate tumors cultured in vitro.

We have analyzed the DNA of marmoset tumors induced and marmoset cells transformed by Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) and derivative viruses of various types. Southern blot hybridization was used to determine the presence of v-src gene sequences. We failed to detect v-src DNA in high-passage cells derived from marmoset tumors induced in vivo or from marmoset cell lines transformed in vitro. The inability to detect src sequences was not related to selection of revertants in culture, since all cell lines retained transformed morphology and cells transformed in vitro retained the ability to induce sarcomas after transplantation into adult allogeneic marmosets. By contrast, we detected integrated proviruses in cells analyzed 32 to 60 days after in vitro transformation. The proviral sequences appeared to be identical to the transforming virus but were apparently unstable and continued to transpose.