Individual adenovirus E1B proteins induce transformation independently but by additive pathways.

The specific contributions of human adenovirus type 5 early region 1B (E1B) proteins were examined using mutants which synthesize these products individually. In cooperation with E1A, transformation of primary baby rat kidney cells was achieved with either the 176R protein or 496R protein alone, albeit at an efficiency considerably less than that observed when both were present. These results indicate that transformation mediated by either E1B product can proceed independently, but that the processes involved are additive.