Synthesis, structure and function of avian sarcoma virus-specific DNA in permissive and nonpermissive cells.

We have reviewed our recent evidence for the following scheme for synthesis and integration of viral DAN after infection of permissive cells by ASV: Within the first 3 hours of infection, duplex, virus-specific DNA the length of a subunit of the viral genome (3 times 10(6) daltons) is synthesized in the cytoplasm of infected cells by a virion-associated DNA polymerase; viral DNA probably forms a covalently closed circular duplex prior to integration into host nuclear DNA. Integration and the usual consequences of viral infection can be inhibited by ethidium bromide. We have described a number of features of viral DNA prior to its integration and have indicated how these features can be exploited in the purification of viral DNA. Viral DNA has also been measured in nonpermissive (mammalian) cells in which the variable expression of viral genes is controlled by unknown mechanisms.