Identity of HeLa cell determinants acquired by vesicular stomatitis virus with a tumor antigen.

Growth of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in HeLa cells results in progeny containing non-VSV antigens with a molecular weight around 75,000. The non-VSV antigens were detected by antiserums to HeLa cell determinants. These antiserums precipitate whole virions but do not neutralize them. Because one of the antiserums is directed to a tumor-specific surface antigen of HeLa cells, it appears that VSV specifically acquires such antigens during its passage through human tumor cells.