Chemical modifications to DNA, such as 2' modifications, are expected to increase the biotechnological utility of DNA; however, these modified forms of DNA are limited by their inability to be effectively synthesized by DNA polymerase enzymes. Previous efforts have identified mutant Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase I (Taq) enzymes capable of recognizing 2'-modified DNA nucleotides. While these ...

An intrastrand cross-link lesion, in which two neighboring nucleobases are covalently tethered, has been site-specifically synthesized into defined sequence oligonucleotides in order to perform in vitro replication studies using either bacterial replicative or translesional synthesis polymerases. The investigated tandem base lesion that involves a cross-link between the methylene group of thymi...

Fonsecin B has been identified as stabilizing ligand of c-myc G-quadruplex DNA using high-throughput virtual screening of a natural product database, and inhibited Taq polymerase-mediated DNA extension in vitro through stabilization of the G-quadruplex secondary structure.

PCR amplification and detection of GC rich sequences in DNA is a challenge due to formation secondary structures which resist denaturation, thereby stalling Taq polymerases as well affecting primer annealing. Presently, high fidelity polymerase used for amplifying long GC-rich fragments, while dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has also been suggested an additive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) mix avoi...

A PCR procedure has been developed for routine analysis of viable Salmonella spp. in feed samples. The objective was to develop a simple PCR-compatible enrichment procedure to enable DNA amplification without any sample pretreatment such as DNA extraction or cell lysis. PCR inhibition by 14 different feed samples and natural background flora was circumvented by the use of the DNA polymerase Tth...

Detection of rare mutant alleles in an excess of wild type alleles is increasingly important in cancer diagnosis. Several methods for selective amplification of a mutant allele via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been reported, but each of these methods has its own limitations. A common problem is that Taq DNA polymerase errors early during amplification generate false positive mutatio...

The method described here is derived from that of Engelke et al. (1), and uses the same cloned form of Ther7nus aquaticus (Taq) DNA polymerase to produce this enzyme in E. coli. The modified purification method described here is quite simple, however it is important to note that factors such as the bacterial strain used, induction time and protein concentration during isolation have been opfimi...

The rDNA genes coding for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in animals are repeat sequences with high GC content and complicated structure. Based on the sequences of human ribosomal DNA repeat unit and transcription unit and the long and accurate PCR method with LA Taq DNA polymerase and GC buffer, we were able to amplify the complicated repeat sequences of rDNA genes in Bos taurus. Three rDNA genes and 2 i...

The use of glass–silicon chips for PCR analysis has been widely reported in the last decade, but there have been few systematic efforts to pin down the biochemical problems such systems bring forth. Here we report a systematic analysis of material-related inhibition and adsorption phenomena in glass–silicon PCR-chips. The results suggest that the previously reported inhibition of PCR by silicon...