It is proposed to investigate the biological, biochemical (molecular biological), and immunological properties of the many members of the family of murine mammary tumor viruses (MuMTV's). Each strain of mouse seems to carry at least one and possibly two strain-specific MuMTV's. The virulence of these viruses varies greatly and usually depends on the test strain of mouse. There are differences in the polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic patterns, in antigens and in polypeptides, of some of these viruses. These differences, as reflected in function, will be studied. Infectivity and replicative characteristics of these various viruses, as influenced by hormones, host genetics, and other factors, will be studied in cultured cells of many animal species and also in many mouse strains. A tumorigenic variant of MuMTV with a spikeless coat has been derived from DBA leukemia cells and produced in vitro. The various properties of this variant will be compared with other MuMTV's.
NIH ExPorter
NIH ExPorter