In: Biology
How are thermostable DNA Polymerases important for Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR)?
DNA polymerases which play crucial role in amplifying the target DNA sequence in PCR must be stable at high temperatures that the reaction mixture is exposed to. Taq DNA polymerase from Thermus aquaticus was the first thermostable DNA polymerase isolated, bringing revolution in the molecular technique, and has been serving as workhorse of PCR since long. It is highly heat stable and is functional at high temperatures (above 70°C).
For high fidelity and very long template sequences and for RT-PCR technique other thermostable DNA Polymerases provide key advantages. Even, mixture of polymerases is used with different enzymes complementing in functionality. For example, mixture of Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu) and Thermus aquaticus (Taq) exhibit both high proof reading and high efficiency. Thus, the mixture is able to produce high yields of long targets. Hence these DNA Polymerases are very important components for successful PCR.
Thermostable DNA polymerases play crucial role in amplifying the target DNA sequence in PCR being very stable at high temperatures that the reaction mixture is exposed to.