Bacterial thermophilic DNA polymerases: A focus on prominent biotechnological applications

• Published in: Analytical biochemistry 2023-06, Vol.671, p.115150-115150, Article 115150
• Main Authors: Akram, Fatima, Shah, Fatima Iftikhar, Ibrar, Ramesha, Fatima, Taseer, Haq, Ikram ul, Naseem, Waqas, Gul, Mahmood Ayaz, Tehreem, Laiba, Haider, Ghanoor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biotechnology - methods; DNA polymerases; DNA Replication; DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase - metabolism; Fidelity; Humans; PCR; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prospective Studies; Protein Engineering; Sequencing; Thermophiles
• ISSN: 0003-2697; 1096-0309
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2023.115150

DNA polymerases are the enzymes able to replicate the genetic information in nucleic acid. As a result, they are necessary to copy the complete genome of every living creature before cell division and sustain the integrity of the genetic information throughout the life of each cell. Any organism that uses DNA as its genetic information, whether unicellular or multicellular, requires one or more thermostable DNA polymerases to thrive. Thermostable DNA polymerase is important in modern biotechnology and molecular biology because it results in methods such as DNA cloning, DNA sequencing, whole genome amplification, molecular diagnostics, polymerase chain reaction, synthetic biology, and single nucleotide polymorphism detection. There are at least 14 DNA-dependent DNA polymerases in the human genome, which is remarkable. These include the widely accepted, high-fidelity enzymes responsible for replicating the vast majority of genomic DNA and eight or more specialized DNA polymerases discovered in the last decade. The newly discovered polymerases' functions are still being elucidated. Still, one of its crucial tasks is to permit synthesis to resume despite the DNA damage that stops the progression of replication-fork. One of the primary areas of interest in the research field has been the quest for novel DNA polymerase since the unique features of each thermostable DNA polymerase may lead to the prospective creation of novel reagents. Furthermore, protein engineering strategies for generating mutant or artificial DNA polymerases have successfully generated potent DNA polymerases for various applications. In molecular biology, thermostable DNA polymerases are extremely useful for PCR-related methods. This article examines the role and importance of DNA polymerase in a variety of techniques. [Display omitted] •DNA polymerases are used in the replication, repair, and maintenance of DNA.•Thermostable DNA polymerases have a high amplification capacity.•They have properties like fidelity, thermostability, extension rate, and processivity.•They are important for the development of DNA sequencing and PCR.