Focus formation by a murine sarcoma leukemia virus complex. I. Theoretical analysis.

The transformation of cells in culture by a murine sarcoma-leukemia virus complex leads to the formation of identifiable foci. Titration patterns of focus counts vs. virus dilutions have been explained as being due to the interactions of three virions: leukemia, defective sarcoma, and competent hybrid. This interaction is analyzed quantitatively and equations are derived which permit determination of the composition of a sarcoma virus pseudotype as well as use of the technique for the assay of exogeneous leukemia virus. The analysis is based on the statistical distribution of virions in the culture cells and assumes that all virions have equal probability of infecting a cell and that transformation of any one cell will lead to focus formation. Limitations of the assumptions and expected measurement accuracy are discussed.