Phenotypic mixing between two primate oncoviruses

Phenotypic mixing between the primate oncoviruses HL₂₃V and BEV has been demonstrated to occur in doubly-infected bat lung (Tb) cells with the production of HL₂₃V(BEV) pseudotype virus. The presence of the HL₂₃V(BEV) pseudotype permitted the host range for replication of HL₂₃V to be extended to murine cells previously 'resistant' to HL₂₃V replication due to a block at the level of virus penetration. Expression of BEV genetic information was observed in doubly-infected rat cells and also in mouse and rat MSV-transformed non-producer cell lines co-cultivated with BEV-producing Tb cells. No evidence for genetic recombination between these viruses could be demonstrated.