Transformation of chondroblasts by Rous sarcoma virus and synthesis of the sulfated proteoglycan matrix.

The presence of the extracellular matrix synthesized by chondroblasts provides a barrier to virus penetration. Chondroblasts can be infected and transformed following treatment with proteolytic enzymes. Using a temperature-sensitive transformation mutant of Rous sarcoma virus and rearing the cells at permissive temperature, we demonstrate that transformed chondroblasts stop synthesizing their cell-unique sulfated proteoglycan. If such transformed chondroblasts are shifted to nonpermissive temperature, the cells reinitiate the synthesis of their cell-unique sulfated proteoglycan.