The HK-2 cell line is derived from normal human kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells and was immortalized by the introduction of HPV-16 E6/E7 genes. A recombinant retroviral vector, pLXSN 16 E6/E7, containing the HPV-16 E6/E7 genes, was transfected into the amphotropic packaging cell line Psi-2. The virus produced by Psi-2 cells was then used to infect the ecotropic packaging cell line PA317. Finally, the viral particles generated by PA317 cells were introduced into normal human renal cortical proximal tubular epithelial cells. Although the pLXSN 16 E6/E7 vector carries a neomycin resistance gene, G418 selection was not used to isolate transduced clones. Southern blot and FISH analyses confirmed that the HK-2 cell line is derived from a single clone. PCR analysis verified the presence of the E6/E7 genes in the genome of HK-2 cells.