Abstract
Complementary DNA (cDNA) specific for chick globin mRNA sequences fails to hybridize to total RNA extracted from chicken fibroblasts. After infection by Rous sarcoma virus, RNA complementary to globin cDNA is detectable in 100-500 copies per cell. Infection of fibroblasts with the transformation defective (td) deletion mutant of Rous sarcoma virus leads to normal virus production, but not to host cell transformation or accumulation of RNA sequences complementary to globin cDNA. Our evidence shows that the globin genes activated by Rous sarcoma virus are those specified by embryonic chick red cells; adult-specific globin sequences were not detected.