Taq polymerase is a heat-stable DNA polymerase enzyme that is widely used in molecular biology for various applications such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloning, and sequencing of DNA. It was first found in the bacterium Thermus aquaticus, which is TAQ.
Taq polymerase is unique because it can withstand the high temperatures required for denaturing DNA during PCR.
Additionally, it has a 5' to 3' polymerase activity and a 3' to 5' exonuclease proofreading activity, which results in high accuracy and low error rates in DNA amplification.
Uses of TAQ polymerase
The use of Taq polymerase has revolutionized the field of molecular biology by enabling the rapid amplification of specific DNA sequences. Making it easier to study and understand genetic information.
It is used in various areas including
- Medical research,
- Forensic science,
- And biotechnology.
Overall, Taq polymerase is an essential tool for modern molecular biology and continues to play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of genetics and disease.
Significance in disease detection
Taq polymerase has been a game-changer in the field of molecular biology and has been instrumental in the efforts to detect diseases.
Its use in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has enabled the rapid and accurate detection of many diseases, including tuberculosis,
- Streptococcal pharyngitis,
- Atypical pneumonia,
- AIDS, and more.
However, its reliance has been highlighted during the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020. Where shortages of the enzyme have impaired the ability to produce test kits.
Despite its advantages, Taq polymerase also has its limitations. such as the inability to detect certain retroviral diseases with mutations in their genome.
Nevertheless, Taq polymerase remains a crucial tool in disease detection and continues to play a vital role in advancing our understanding of genetics and disease.
Domain structure
- Taq PolA has a similar structure to a DNA enzyme called E. coli PolA.
- The enzyme has a functional part at the beginning that helps with the 5'-3' exonuclease process.
- The rest of the enzyme works together to help with DNA replication.
- Taq polymerase exonuclease is a part of Taq DNA polymerase I (a heat-resistant enzyme) and has a similar structure to ribonuclease H.
- It gives Taq polymerase the ability to remove nucleotides from the 5'-3' end. Unlike its counterpart in E. coli, this part does not degrade primers, which is important for PCR.
- This property is useful in TaqMan probes. where the probes take place into fluorescent pieces as the strands, during DNA replication.
What is the shelf life of Taq polymerase?
The shelf life of Taq polymerase can vary depending on the storage conditions and the specific product formulation.
In general, Taq polymerase kept at -20°C or -80°C can maintain its activity for several years.
Taq polymerase stored at 4°C has a shorter shelf life of several months.
It is important to follow the manufacturer's suggestion for storage conditions and to check the activity of the enzyme before use, especially if the product is kept for a longer period of time.
Proper storage and handling can ensure that the Taq polymerase retains its full activity and performance over its shelf life
Frequently Asked Questions on Full form of taq polymerase
. Who discovered Taq polymerase?
Thomas D. Brock and his colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the late 1970s founded Taq polymerase
. What is Taq stand for?
Taq stands for Thermus aquaticus, the bacterium from which Taq polymerase was first isolated.
The name reflects the stability of the enzyme at high temperatures and its origin in hot waters.
Taq DNA polymerase has become a crucial component of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.
. Is Taq polymerase DNA or RNA?
Taq polymerase is a DNA polymerase, meaning it synthesizes new DNA molecules. It does not have the ability to synthesize RNA.
Taq polymerase is commonly in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A laboratory technique for amplifying specific DNA sequences.
The high error rate of Taq polymerase makes it suitable for the amplification of DNA. but not for more precise applications such as sequencing.
. How many units are in Taq polymerase?
The amount of Taq polymerase in a commercially available product is typically specified in units, where one unit has the amount of enzyme that incorporates 10 nanomoles of deoxynucleoside triphosphates into acid-insoluble material in 30 minutes at 72°C.
The number of units in a vial of Taq polymerase can vary depending on the manufacturer and the product specifications, but it is often in the range of 5,000 to 50,000 units per vial.
The number of units per vial can affect the product's cost and the amount of enzyme required for a specific experimental setup.