Forssman Antigen exposed on Surface Membrane after Viral Transformation

IN the course of transformation by oncogenic agents, cells not only synthesize new surface membrane components but also their membrane structure is altered. This can lead to the exposure of components already existing in the plasma membrane of the parent cell¹. The Forssman antigen, a glycolipid with N-acetylgalactosamine as a terminal determinant², was not found on the surface of baby hamster kidney cells in tissue culture (BHK). Cells transformed by oncogenic viruses such as polyoma virus (Py-BHK) or Rous sarcoma virus displayed Forssman activity on their surfaces^3,4.