Dna polymerase

Abstract

The present invention relates to DNA polymerases. In particular the invention relates to a method for the generation of DNA polymerases exhibiting a relaxed substrate specificity. Uses of mutant polymerases produced using the methods of the invention are also described.

1 . A pol A DNA polymerase possessing an expanded substrate range, which is capable of abasic site bypass, wherein the polymerase exhibits at least 95% identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of 3A10, 3B6 and 3B11, and which comprises a mutation (with respect to any of the three parent genes Taq, Tth and Tfl) or gene segment found in a clone selected from the group consisting of 3A10, 3B6 and 3B11. 
     
     
         2 . The pol A DNA polymerase of  claim 1 , wherein said DNA polymerase comprises the amino acid sequence of a clone selected from the group consisting of 3A10, 3B6 and 3B11. 
     
     
         3 . The pol A DNA polymerase of  claim 2 , wherein said DNA polymerase consists essentially of the amino acid sequence of any one or more of clones selected from the group consisting of 3A10, 3B6 and 3B11. 
     
     
         4 . A nucleic acid construct encoding a pol A DNA polymerase of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . A vector comprising the nucleic acid construct of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         6 . Use of a pol A DNA polymerase of  claim 1  in an application selected from the group consisting of PCR amplification, sequencing of damaged DNA templates, the incorporation of unnatural base analogues into DNA and the creation of novel polymerase activities. 
     
     
         7 . The use of  claim 6 , wherein said pol A DNA polymerase is selected from the group consisting of 3A10, 3B6 and 3B11. 
     
     
         8 . Use of a blend of pol A DNA polymerases of  claim 1  in an application selected from the group consisting of PCR amplification, sequencing of damaged DNA templates, the incorporation of unnatural base analogues into DNA and the creation of novel polymerase activities. 
     
     
         9 . The use of  claim 8 , wherein said blend of pol A DNA polymerases is selected from the group consisting of 3A10, 3B6 and 3B11.