Taq polymerase

Taq polymerase is a heat-stable DNA-synthesizing enzyme from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus. Its ability to withstand repeated heating made it central to polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Polymerase chain reaction: A laboratory method that amplifies selected DNA through repeated cycles of heating and cooling. PCR uses Taq to copy target DNA through repeated high-temperature cycles.
Thermus aquaticus: A bacterium that thrives in hot environments, including geothermal springs. This organism is the natural source of Taq polymerase.
Quantitative PCR: A PCR method that monitors DNA amplification in real time using fluorescent signals. Taq-based enzymes drive amplification in many quantitative PCR assays.
Pfu DNA polymerase: A proofreading DNA polymerase from the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus. Pfu generally copies DNA more accurately than Taq because it proofreads.
DNA polymerase: An enzyme that synthesizes DNA by adding nucleotides to a growing strand. Taq is one specialized member of this enzyme family.
Yellowstone National Park: A United States national park containing extensive geothermal features and hot springs. The bacterium yielding Taq was collected from Yellowstone hot springs.
Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction: A method that converts RNA into DNA and then amplifies the resulting complementary DNA. Taq amplifies the DNA made from RNA in this two-stage method.
Phusion DNA polymerase: A high-fidelity DNA polymerase engineered by fusing a polymerase with a DNA-binding domain. Phusion offers higher fidelity for applications where Taq’s errors are unacceptable.
Thermostability: The ability of a molecule, such as a protein, to retain structure and function at elevated temperatures. Taq remains active after PCR’s repeated denaturation steps.
Thomas D. Brock: An American microbiologist known for discovering and studying heat-loving microorganisms. Brock’s research helped establish Thermus aquaticus as a source of heat-stable enzymes.

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