Herpes simplex virus‐induced amplification of SV40 sequences in transformed Chinese hamster embryo cells

Infection with Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) induces amplification of SV40 sequences in SV40-transformed Chinese hamster embryo cells (CO631). This is shown by in situ hybridization of the infected cells with cloned 32P-labelled SV40 DNA. The HSV-mediated synthesis of SV40 DNA is more pronounced than after treatment with chemical carcinogens. This initiator-like effect of HSV may, in concert with the previously reported mutagenic activity of this virus (Schlehofer and zur Hausen, 1982), point to a possible mechanism of HSV infection in human genital cancer.