DYNAMICS OF MITOTIC-ACTIVITY AND EXPRESSION OF VIRAL-PROTEINS GP51 AND P24 OF BOVINE LEUKEMIA-VIRUS PRODUCING CELLS

The dynamics of expression of viral proteins gp51 and p24, virus parti cle production and mitotic activity of a highly productive bovine leuk emia virus clone of the fetal lamb kidney (FLK) cell line were studied . The period of the highest protein production (20-44 h after incubati on) was established by the indirect immunofluorescence method using sp ecific monoclonal antibodies. It was followed by a complete formation of the cell monolayer and the most intensive period of the mitotic act ivity determined by the H-3-thymidine labeling method. After the activ e synthesis of viral protein, the formation of mature viral particles and their shedding in the intercellular spaces was established electro n-microscopically and by the syncytia induction test. A similar compar ative study was carried out with a BLV producing short-term lymphocyte culture (STLC).