A two-step reverse transcription reaction combined with long PCR was developed in order to obtain the full-length cDNA from the 12.2 kbp genomic RNA of rice tungro spherical virus. A first step reverse transcription, performed at 45 degrees C using a reverse transcriptase deprived of RNase H activity, allowed the synthesis of a nearly full-length cDNA of 11.7 kbp. A second step reaction, carried out at 65 degrees C using a thermostable polymerase, was necessary to destabilise secondary structures present at the 5' extremity of the RNA template which hampered the reverse transcription reaction in this region. The full-length cDNA obtained by the two-step reverse transcription was amplified successfully by long PCR and subsequently cloned into a plasmid vector. The cloned cDNA showed toxicity and proved to be unstable when amplified in E. coli.