Loss of transformed phenotype upon senescence of Rous sarcoma virus-infected chicken neuroretinal cells.

Success in obtaining permanent Rous sarcoma virus-infected chicken cell lines has been limited because of a senescence phenomenon. We show that a diminished, transformed phenotype, followed by dramatic morphological changes, precedes senescence. These changes are associated with continued expression of pp60v-src, as well as specific alterations in expression of two possible phosphorylated substrates of pp60v-src.