The effects of transcriptional regulatory sequences introduced into a retroviral genome.

Chimeric plasmids in which the herpes thymidine kinase (tk) gene replaced portions of the Rous sarcoma viral genome were used to assess the relationship between viral transcription and that of an exogenous gene located within the viral genome. The entire tk gene and portions of the gene were positioned in both orientations within the viral gag and pol genomic region (which serves as intron for viral env mRNA). Microinjection assays then determined the amount of viral genomic transcription by quantitation of the amount of viral env mRNA produced. Separate injections also assayed for the presence of tk mRNA. Both mRNAs were produced unless the 3' region of the tk gene was present within the viral genome and in the same transcriptional sense. In this case viral env mRNA production was nearly abolished.