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Title: Transfer of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase synthesized in bacteria by a high-expression plasmid to tissue culture cells by protoplast fusion

Journal Article · · Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.4.8.1644· OSTI ID:5947627

The introduction of a protein into living tissue culture cells may permit the in vivo study of functions of the protein. The authors have previously described a high-efficiency-expression plasmid, pHETK2, containing the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (TK) gene which, upon temperature induction, causes TK to be synthesized as greater than 4% of the bacterial protein. In this report it is shown that enzymatically active TK was transferred to mouse Ltk- cells by polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion with protoplasts prepared from bacteria containing induced levels of TK. The presence of TK in the Ltk- cells was detected by the incorporation of (/sup 3/H)thymidine into cell nuclei as measured by autoradiography.

Research Organization:
Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD
OSTI ID:
5947627
Journal Information:
Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States), Vol. 4:8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English