Thermostable DNA Polymerases that Bypass Lesions in DNA
Lesions in DNA often block DNA polymerases, especially in those polymerases used in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Old DNA, such as that from forensic samples, is often damaged and cannot be used for PCR analysis. The NIH announces the identification of two novel Y-family DNA polymerases - called Dbh and Dpo4 - from the archea Sulfolobus solfactaricus P1 and Sulfolobus solfactaricus P2, respectively. The Y family of polymerases is characterized by their ability to replicate through DNA lesions that may block the activity of other, more conventional, polymerases such as the thermostable enzymes used in PCR. Both Dbh and Dpo4 enzymes have been shown to be as thermostable as the Taq polymerase (Dpo4, in particular) and can copy stretches of DNA up to 1300 bp in length. Because these polymerases are in general more efficient at coping with DNA lesions, they may be useful in the amplification of damaged DNA and could be useful in forensic PCR applications
Original Article: Thermostable DNA Polymerases that Bypass Lesions in DNA
