In vitro transcription of the viral-specific sequences present in the chromatin of cells transformed by simian virus 40.

Separated strands of simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA fragments were used in hybridization experiments to study the RNA transcribed by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase from the chromatin of cells transformed by SV40. The template activity of chromatin of the transformed cell line 11A8 (mouse-embryo cells) examined is about 17% that of purified DNA, suggesting that most of the chromatin DNA is repressed by chromosomal proteins. The SV40-specific RNA present in the RNA transcribed in vitro from 11A8 chromatin hybridizes specifically with the minus strand of SV40 DNA. Little or no reaction occurs with the plus strand of viral DNA. The SV40-specific RNA transcribed in vitro from chromatin of transformed cells shares sequences with the RNA produced during the early phase of SV40 lytic infection, and is similar to that present in the 11A8 cell line in vivo. Although the influence of chromosomal proteins on this pattern of transcription was not definitely determined, preliminary evidence indicates that an asymmetric pattern of transcription may also occur when 11A8 DNA is transcribed by E. coli RNA polymerase.