| Abstract: | The levels of carbohydrates were measured in cells before and after transformation with DNA and RNA-containing oncogenic virus. The most consistent finding was a markedly lower content of L-fucose in all transformed cells relative to their normal counterpart. The cell pellet from a line of Chinese hamster cells transformed with polyoma or SV-40 viruses showed a marked decrease in the level of carbohydrates. However, when the carbohydrate levels were calculated for the whole system (cells plus wash) the transformed cells except for L-fucose had almost the same amount of carbohydrate as the controls. The levels of various carbohydrates in cells transformed by Rous sarcoma virus were the same or were elevated above the controls. Here consideration of the washes did not alter the results. Possible explanations for the results and causes of error in these comparative studies are discussed. |
