The DNA tumor virus SV 40 induces gene mutations in human cells. Reversion of HPRT deficiency.

The mutagenic effect of papovavirus SV40 on human cells could be demonstrated by reversion of HPRT deficiency in Lesch-Nyhan fibroblasts transformed by the virus. SV40 seems to induce different gene mutations in individually selected cell clones, as was clearly shown by the respective HPRT enzyme properties. The consequences of our results for use of SV40-derived vectors in gene substitution experiments are discussed.