摘要：

The genetic analysis of RNA tumor viruses has two main objectives: (1) to provide an understanding of virus replication and (2) to explain virus-induced transformation of the host cell. Virus replication results from a complex interaction of viral and cellular genomes. Viral genetics, however, considers only the virus side of this interaction; the numerous and specific cellular functions which are required for the synthesis of infectious virus will have to be defined by a genetic analysis of the host cell. In virus-induced transformation, viral genetic information presumably interferes with the genetic regulatory apparatus of the host cell, and here again it is important to realize that focusing on the viral information will reveal only part of a very complex interaction between two organisms. Despite these obvious limitations, the viral genome is at the moment that partner in this interaction which is more amenable to experimental study and offers realistic opportunities for an increase of our insight into virus replication and cellular transformation.

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