Stable integration of adenovirus DNA is not required for the induction of mutations in the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase gene in Chinese hamster cells.

Adenovirus type 2 induces EMS-like mutations at the hpt13 locus coding for hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) in Chinese hamster cells (J. Virol., 38, 184--190, 1981). In this report we show that: (a) the hpt- 13 mutation is in the structural gene of HPRT, (b) adenovirus induces intracistronic reversion mutations which suppress the hpt- 13 phenotype, and (c) the stable integration of adenovirus DNA is not required for the induction of these mutations.