Chromosome aberrations in Syrian hamster embryo cells transformed after exposure to ultraviolet-irradiated herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2.

Six Syrian hamster embryo cell lines (14-012-8-1, KOS-6-1, 333-8-9, 333-2-29, MS-4-1, FR-6-1), developed after exposure of primary cultures to different strains of UV-irradiated herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 or 2, were analyzed for chromosome aberrations. All the cell lines showed chromosome stability (number of chromosomes were maintained within a narrow range of variation in the diploid region) and a low incidence of polyploids, endoreduplications, and metaphases with pulveration or extensively fragmented chromosomes. The cell lines, passaged over long periods of time in vitro, developed marker chromosomes that suggested a clonal-type evolution of the cell populations. Two cell lines, 333-8-9 and 14-012-8-1, showed two different marker chromosomes with large heterochromatic regions. Chromosomes with abnormal heterochromatic regions, which often appeared like prominent secondary constrictions, were found in all the cell lines we examined. The level of chromosome breakage was low in all the cell lines except the highly tumorigenic cell line 333-2-29, which had a high incidence of cells with single or double chromatinic bodies. The abnormal heterochromatic regions that occurred on marker chromosomes and prominent secondary constrictions were interpreted as a possible chromosomal effect of the HSV. The karyotypic stability and low incidence of open breaks might have been the result of UV irradiation of the HSV.