The SV40 Pseudovirus: Its Potential for General Transduction in Animal Cells

The rates of reassociation of DNA from a monkey cell line (Vero), from SV40 pseudovirus (consisting of Vero DNA and virus protein coat), and from mature SV40 were measured. The results show that the host DNA in the pseudovirus contains repeated and unique sequences in the same proportions as normal host DNA; hence, no one portion of the host genome is preferentially incorporated in the pseudovirus. It was also shown that the Vero DNA in the pseudoviruses enters the nuclei of mouse embryo cells without loss of its physical integrity.