Loss of Ability to Synthesize Collagen in Fibroblasts Transformed by Rous Sarcoma Virus

Abstract

Transformation of chick embryo fibroblasts by Rous sarcoma virus inhibited their ability to synthesize collagen- Kinetic experiments showed that 72 hours after infection, collagen synthesis was reduced by 90%. Nontransforming Rous-associated viruses did not inhibit collagen synthesis. The inhibition resulted from the failure of the cells to synthesize collagen polypeptides rather than from a decrease in the activity of prolyl hydroxylase; the levels of prolyl hydroxylase were fourfold those in uninfected cells. The addition of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline, alone or together, did not restore collagen synthesis.