Effect of adeno-associated virus on transformation of NIH 3T3 cells by ras gene and on tumorigenicity of an NIH 3T3 transformed cell line.

Transfection of NIH-3T3 cells with the plasmid pJ234, containing DNA from the human bladder carcinoma T24 cell line (ras gene), results in their transformation. Adeno-associated virus did not affect significantly the number of the transformed foci when different multiplicities of infection were used and when the virus was added to the cultures at different time intervals before or after transfection. A transformed cell line was derived following transfection of NIH 3T3 cells by the ras gene. Infection of these cells with adeno-associated virus resulted in a decrease in their growth rate and cloning efficiency. These infected cells showed a dose-dependent reduction in the frequency and an increase in the latent period for tumor appearance in nude mice.