Two species of full-length cDNA are synthesized in high yield by melittin-treated avian retrovirus particles.

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Abstract
A method of activating endogenous c[complementary]DNA synthesis in avian retroviruses that results in the formation of 2 species of full-length cDNA in high yield is described. Tests of biological activity show infectivity of at least the same order of magnitude as for full-length cDNA made by other procedures. Melittin, the major component of bee [Apis mellifera] venom, is used as an alternative to nonionic detergents to make the viral envelope permeable and thus activate the endogenous RNA-dependent DNA polymerase. This compound is a toxic peptide known to interact with phospholipid membranes. It appears to be less disruptive to the viral structure than detergents, resulting in a more efficient transcription of the viral genome. Preliminary tests indicate that this method will also prove useful for studying enzymatic activities associated with other enveloped viruses.