Of birds and mice and men: Comments on the use of animal models and molecular hybridization in the search for human tumor viruses

Abstract

Infection of either duck or mammalian cells with Rous sarcoma virus introduces a new set of genes into the chromosomal DNA of the host cell. This event is a prerequisite for both replication of the virus and neoplastic transformation of the cells. By contrast, virus‐induced mammary carcinoma in the mouse can be inherited disease without requirement for genetic information beyond that already present in the mouse genome. This communication illustrates certain molecular correlates of the preceding biological observations, and comments on the use of these correlates in designing and executing the search for RNA tumor viruses of man. Copyright © 1974 American Cancer Society