Conversion of a Single-stranded Simian Virus 40 (SV40)-based Shuttle Vector to its Double-stranded Form does not Require the SV40 T antigen in Monkey Cells

We have transfected the single-stranded DNA form of the simian virus 40 (SV40)-based shuttle vector pZ189 into CV1P simian cells. Although the strand used did not code for the T antigen, we observed its conversion to a double-stranded DNA form. We deduced that the replication step converting a circular single-stranded DNA to a double-stranded one is independent of the SV40 T antigen in simian cells.