CLAIMS :

1. A stable cell line which has been stably transformed with a recombinant DNA molecule comprising the gene sequence for a viral transcriptional activating protein whereby said cell expresses said viral
transcriptional activating factor.

2. A method for stimulating gene expression that comprises providing a viral transcriptional activating protein within a cell, said cell containing a recombinant DNA molecule and capable of stable replication_/ said recombinant DNA molecule comprising:
a) a gene whose expression is desired;
b) a promoter region preceding said gene;
c) a corresponding activation-response DNA
sequence preceding said gene.

3. A method for producing a polypeptide comprising culturing a cell which has been transformed with a recombinant DNA molecule in the presence of a
transcriptional activating protein, said DNA molecule comprising :
a) a non-viral gene which codes for said
polypeptide;
b) a promoter region preceding said gene; and c) an activation-response DNA sequence
preceding said gene.

4. A stable cell line which has been stably transformed with:
a) a first recombinant DNA molecule which
comprises the gene sequence for a viral
transcriptional activating protein whereby
said cell expresses said viral
transcriptional activating protein; and b) a second recombinant DNA molecule which
comprises:
1) a non-viral gene which codes for a
desired protein;
2) a promoter region preceding said gene;
and
3) a corresponding activation-response DNA
sequence preceding said gene.

5. The methods and cells defined in claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 wherein said corresponding activation-response DNA sequence precedes said promoter region.

6. The methods and cells defined in claim 5 wherein said viral transcriptional activating protein is Vmw65, ICP4, ICPO or ICP27.

7. The methods and cells defined in claim 6 wherein said viral transcriptional activating protein is Vmw65.

8. The methods and cells defined in claim 7 wherein said activation-response DNA sequence is
TAATGARAT, wherein R is G or A.

9. The methods and cells defined in claim 8 wherein said gene is a heterologous non-viral gene.

10. The methods and cells defined in claim 9 wherein said cell has also been transformed with a recombinant DNA molecule which comprises the gene
sequence which codes for Vmw65 whereby said cell
expresses said Vmw65.

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11. The methods and cells defined in claim 10 wherein said promoter region is chosen from the alpha HSV-1 and HSV-2 promoter regions .

12. The methods and cells defined in claim 5 wherein said gene is chosen from among the genes which code for the α-interferons, β-interferons , γ-interferons , interleukins 1, 2 _r 3, 4 or 5, G-CSF, GM-CSF, TPA, human insulin, EPO, HGH and SOD.