Polypeptides having nucleic acid binding activity

Abstract

Polynucleotides having nucleic acid binding activity are provided. Methods of stabilizing a nucleic acid duplex are provided. Methods of promoting the annealing of complementary nucleic acid strands are provided. Methods of increasing the processivity of a DNA polymerase are provided. Methods of enhancing the activity of a nucleic acid modification enzyme are provided. Fusion proteins are provided. Methods of using fusion proteins are provided. Kits are provided.

1 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method of producing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NOs:1, 4 6 or 28 wherein the polypeptide has nucleic acid binding activity, the method comprising culturing a host cell comprising a vector comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide under conditions suitable for expression of the polypeptide and isolating the polypeptide so expressed. 
     
     
         9 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A fusion protein comprising:
 a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a Crenarchaeal nucleic acid binding polypeptide or a fragment thereof having nucleic acid binding activity; and   a nucleic acid polymerase.   
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The fusion protein of  claim 25 , wherein the nucleic acid polymerase is a thermostable DNA polymerase. 
     
     
         28 . The fusion protein of  claim 25 , wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 90% identiy to SEQ ID NOs:1, 4, 6, or 28 or a fragment thereof wherein the polynucleotide or fragment thereof has nucleic acid binding activity. 
     
     
         29 .- 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A method of increasing the processivity of a DNA polymerase comprising combining a reaction mixture comprising the DNA polymerase with a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a Crenarchaeal nucleic acid binding polypeptide or a fragment thereof having nucleic acid binding activity. 
     
     
         54 .- 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NOs:4, 6, or 28. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs:4, 6, or 28 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:4 6, or 28 that has nucleic acid binding activity. 
     
     
         58 .- 69 . (canceled)