Cort-PCR Assay for the discrimination of endogenous reverse transcriptase activity in eukaryotic cell lines from infectious retrovirus contamination

摘要

The present invention relates to the detection of the presence of reverse transcriptase enzymatic activity in eukaryotic cell lines. Specifically, the present invention comprises a method for discriminating between endogenous reverse transcriptase activity in a substrate cell line (e.g., avian) used as substrates for the manufacture of biological products (including viral vaccines) from exogenous infectious retrovirus by using a combination of transmissibility assay (viral replication) and PBRT assay (RT-PCR). Appropriate levels of viral amplification and number of PCR cycles are determined and employed that permit detection of exogenous infectious RT activity but not endogenous RT activity.