The role of single-stranded DNA in the integration of SV40 genome into cellular DNA

The integration of temperature-sensitive SV40 mutant DNA (tsA239) into the Chinese hamster cellular genome at an early stage of infection was studied. The content of single-stranded DNA structures in the infected and control cells at a non-permissive temperature (40 degrees C) differed drastically from that in control cells at permissive temperatures (33 degrees C, 37 degrees C). The role of single-stranded structures in the integration of the SV40 genome into cellular DNA was shown by blot hybridization. The integration mechanism is discussed.