Substitution of 5' helper virus sequences into non-rel portion of reticuloendotheliosis virus strain T suppresses transformation of chicken spleen cells

The genome of the highly oncogenic avian retrovirus reticuloendotheliosis virus strain T (REV-T) differs from that of the helper virus reticuloendotheliosis virus strain A by a substitution (rel and a large deletion. Further deletions, constructed in vitro, within the helper-virus-related sequences of REV-T have little effect on the ability of the virus to transform chicken spleen cells in vitro. However, deletions that extend into rel abolish transformation. Substitution of helper-virus-related sequences for the deleted region in the non-rel portion of REV-T also abolishes transformation. Viruses with revertant phenotype were obtained both spontaneously and by construction in vitro from these substituted recombinants. The revertant viruses have various mutations, including deletions and insertions, in the helper-virus-related sequences. Thus the additional helper-virus-related sequences suppress expression of transformation in cis, and the deletion in REV-T seems necessary for expression of the transforming properties of the virus.