January 7, 1975

Mr, ThGorsW
Canaday A43
Zlarvard Yard
Cambridge, Massachusetts d138

Dear Mr. Gorski:

Thanks for your inquiries for more information about the sarc gene.  I am
enclosing preprints of manuscripts soon to appear in Journal of Molecular
Biology and Nature; I hope these will prove useful.  Unfortunately I can-
not tell you much about what promismto be the most interesting aspect---
namely the regulation of the sarc-like gene in uninfected avian cells,  !Che
gene is transcribed in cells derived from methylcholathrene-induced tumors
from quail, but the import of that observation may be dampened by our find-
ing transcription of the sarc gene in nom1 embryos frou several birds and
in cultured fibroblasts; in addition, we have not yet been able to test the
tumors from which the tumor cells derived.
in some a8 yet unknuwn way, with normal growth and develppment and with
malignancy as well.
of cells and tissues for expression of the gene, It would, of course, also
be nice to know whst the gene product is---but this is totally unknown for
either the viral or cellular sarc genes.

              Perhaps the sarc gene is involved,

Bur such an extravagent claim must await further surveys

If you see Ptashne in person ae well as on tape (0 brave new world), give
him my blessings.
I will probably be taw about thie business at the Cell Biology meetings
in Boston the and week in September.
to bring you up to date.

Let me know if I can be of further help to you.

Incidentally,

If youhe in town then, I would be glad

Sincerely yours,

Harold E. Vamus, M. D.
Associate Professor
Department of Microbiology