Taqpolymeraasientsyymiä

Taq polymerase is a heat-stable DNA polymerase enzyme isolated from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus. Its primary significance lies in its ability to withstand high temperatures, a property crucial for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. During PCR, DNA is repeatedly heated to high temperatures to denature (separate) the double helix strands. Most DNA polymerases would be destroyed at these temperatures, but Taq polymerase remains active.

Discovered in hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, Taq polymerase catalyzes the synthesis of DNA molecules from a DNA template and a supply of nucleotides. Its optimal activity is at around 72 degrees Celsius. The enzyme's thermostability allows it to survive the denaturation cycles of PCR, making it possible to amplify specific DNA sequences exponentially. This amplification is fundamental to numerous molecular biology applications, including genetic testing, forensic analysis, and scientific research. While highly effective, Taq polymerase has a relatively low fidelity, meaning it can sometimes introduce errors during DNA replication. Modified versions of Taq polymerase and other heat-stable polymerases with higher fidelity have since been developed.