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Taq polymerase is a heat-stable DNA polymerase enzyme that is crucial in polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It is used to amplify DNA by synthesizing new DNA strands complementary to a template DNA strand at high temperatures. Taq polymerase is derived from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus, allowing it to withstand the high temperatures used in PCR without becoming denatured.
Taq polymerase is thermostable because it comes from a bacterium called Thermus aquaticus, which lives in hot springs and has adapted to high temperatures. The enzyme's structure is able to resist denaturation at high temperatures, allowing it to function optimally in PCR reactions that require high temperatures for DNA amplification.
The Taq name is a shortened for Thermophilus aquaticus, a thermophilic bacteria that is the source of the particular DNA polymerase enzyme. The enzyme heat resistant property is desired because it could withstand the high temperature during the PCR process. -Kaitlin The Taq name is a shortened for Thermophilus aquaticus, a thermophilic bacteria that is the source of the particular DNA polymerase enzyme. The enzyme heat resistant property is desired because it could withstand the high temperature during the PCR process. -Kaitlin
Storing Taq polymerase at a very low temperature (typically -20°C) helps preserve its activity over time. While Taq polymerase is thermostable and can withstand high temperatures during PCR, storing it at low temperatures helps prevent degradation and denaturation of the enzyme, leading to better performance in PCR reactions.
Thomas D. Brock, An American Microbiologist
The polymerase used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is typically derived from a thermophilic bacterium called Thermus aquaticus. The specific polymerase most commonly used is Taq polymerase, which is known for its ability to withstand high temperatures required for PCR.
A thermostable polymerase, like Taq polymerase, is used in PCR because it can withstand the high temperatures required for DNA denaturation during each cycle of amplification. This allows the enzyme to remain active throughout the entire PCR process, resulting in efficient and accurate DNA replication.
According to Roche website, different additives allow optimization to increase yield and specificity of PCR reactions. DMSO, for instance, is reported to reduce nonspecific priming, while gelatin and glycerol stabilize Taq DNA polymerase during PCR, which generally increases the yield.
Nucleotides A, T, G, and C are the building blocks of DNA and are included in the master mix for DNA amplification. Other components in the master mix typically include a DNA polymerase enzyme for replication, buffer to maintain optimal pH, and salts to help stabilize the reactions. The DNA polymerase enzyme helps in the amplification process by synthesizing new DNA strands, the buffer maintains the pH for enzyme activity, and salts aid in maintaining the stability of the reaction components.
used as a co-factor o th enzime taq polimerase
DNA polymerases use deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) as their substrate to synthesize new DNA strands during DNA replication.
The enzyme used in PCR to synthesize DNA is called DNA polymerase. The key difference is that the DNA polymerase used in PCR, such as Taq polymerase, is derived from a thermophilic bacterium called Thermus aquaticus and can withstand the high temperatures used in the PCR cycling process. This distinguishes it from the equivalent enzyme in our cells or most bacteria, which would be denatured by the high temperatures of PCR.