Specific binding of factor(s) released by Rous sarcoma virus transformed cells to splenocytes of chickens with Rous sarcomas

Normal and Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) transformed chicken embryo cells shed molecules, presumably macromolecular membrane constituents, that contain glucosamine and choline into their culture media. Such molecules from RSV transformed cells are bound preferentially to spleen cells from chickens bearing RSV induced sarcomas. These lymphoid cells do not preferentially adsorb analogous labeled molecules from normal chicken embryo or from a variety of other normal and neoplastic cell cultures, except those of cells transformed by viruses of the avian leukosis sarcoma complex. Specific binding is not abrogated by inactivation of the lymphoid cells with azide or cyanide. The possible biologic implications of these findings are discussed.