Taq polymerase: Difference between revisions
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Taq polymerase is an [[Enzyme|enzyme]] found in ''[[Thermus aquaticus|Thermus aquaticus]]'', an organism which live in environments of extremely high temperatures, such as [[Hot springs|hot springs]]. It is therefore extremely thermostable | Taq polymerase is an [[Enzyme|enzyme]] found in ''[[Thermus aquaticus|Thermus aquaticus]]'', an organism which live in environments of extremely high temperatures, such as [[Hot springs|hot springs]]. It is therefore extremely thermostable, hence known as thermophilic bacterium. The enzyme is commonly used in [[PCR|Polymerase Chain Reaction]] ([[PCR|PCR]]) as it can withstand the required high temperatures (95 degrees celsius)<ref>http://biotechcrunch.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/taq-polymerase-enzyme.html</ref> of the [[Thermo Cycler|Thermo Cycler]], while retaining its enzymatic functions. | ||
During [[PCR|PCR]], Taq polymerase is used to extend the [[Primers|primers]]. Alternatively, [[Pfu|Pfu]] is another thermostable [[ | During [[PCR|PCR]], Taq polymerase is used to extend the [[Primers|primers]]. Alternatively, [[Pfu|Pfu]] is another thermostable [[DNA polymerase|DNA polymerase]] that may be used in PCR, this has a [[Proof reading|proof reading]] ability and is therfore more accurate <ref>Methods Mol Biol. 2011;682:65-75.</ref>.<br> | ||
=== References === | === References === | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Revision as of 23:06, 19 October 2013
Taq polymerase is an enzyme found in Thermus aquaticus, an organism which live in environments of extremely high temperatures, such as hot springs. It is therefore extremely thermostable, hence known as thermophilic bacterium. The enzyme is commonly used in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as it can withstand the required high temperatures (95 degrees celsius)[1] of the Thermo Cycler, while retaining its enzymatic functions.
During PCR, Taq polymerase is used to extend the primers. Alternatively, Pfu is another thermostable DNA polymerase that may be used in PCR, this has a proof reading ability and is therfore more accurate [2].
References
- ↑ http://biotechcrunch.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/taq-polymerase-enzyme.html
- ↑ Methods Mol Biol. 2011;682:65-75.