Induction of chromosome aberrations by the T antigen of the SV40 virus introduced into the cells using liposomes

: A purified SV40 T antigen introduced into hamster cells by means of liposomes accumulated in the nuclei within 10 h and persisted there further as long as 10 to 12 h. Within the first day after cell treatment with T antigen numerous chromosome aberrations including breaks, translocations and gaps were observed in the cells. The number of aberrations slightly reduced by the 2nd day followed by restoration of the normal cell karyotype by the 5th day. Removal of T antigen incorporated into liposomes by a specific immunosorbent or heat inactivation of T antigen abolished the clastogenic effect. It is suggested that induction of chromosome aberrations might activate sell protooncogenes and thus serve a genetic basis of tumor progression.