HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS 16 DNA IN NIH3T3 CELLS TRANSFORMED BY COLONIC-CANCER CELLULAR DNA

Human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 DNA is closely associated with human can cers. It has been identified as an aetiological agent in cervical canc ers and, recently, in colonic neoplasms. To further understand the rol e of HPV 16 DNA in colorectal carcinogenesis, NIH3T3 cells were transf ormed with high molecular weight DNA from colonic cancer cells and the expression of HPV 16 DNA detected. Both human Alu and HPV 16 DNA sequ ences were found in the type II foci of CC-M2T cells by Southern blot hydribisation. Additionally, 100% tumorigenicity in nude mice was seen . This study shows the transfection of HPV DNA from colonic cancers in to NIH3T3 mouse cells and suggests that HPV type 16 might be associate d with the malignant transformation of colonic cells.