Altered Recombinases Enhance Seeding on Patterned Flow Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current recombinase enzymes used in nucleic acid amplification processes have limitations in efficiently seeding and amplifying nucleic acids on patterned flow cell surfaces, particularly for PCR-free libraries with single-stranded adapter regions, leading to suboptimal cluster amplification.

Innovation Solution

Development of altered recombinases with specific amino acid substitutions, such as mutations at positions functionally equivalent to Pro321, Asp334, Pro256, and His63 in the RB49 UvsX amino acid sequence, which enhance recombinase activity and seeding efficiency on patterned flow cell surfaces, including the addition of glutamic acid or aspartic acid residues at the C-terminus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wild type recombinase enzymes are used for nucleic acid amplification on patterned flow cell surfaces, then the process is simpler, but seeding efficiency and cluster amplification are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseeding efficiencyVSAvoidrecombinase structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing specific amino acid substitutions (Pro321Lys, Asp334Lys, Pro256Lys, His63Ser) at functionally equivalent positions in the recombinase enzyme structure. These parameter changes in the enzyme's primary structure directly improve its seeding efficiency on patterned flow cell surfaces while maintaining its fundamental recombinase function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making targeted amino acid substitutions at specific positions (Pro321, Asp334, Pro256, His63) rather than throughout the entire enzyme structure. This localized modification approach improves seeding efficiency at the critical binding interface while preserving the overall enzyme structure and function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If altered recombinases with multiple amino acid substitutions are used, then cluster amplification is enhanced, but the enzyme design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecluster amplificationVSAvoidenzyme design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically changes multiple parameters (amino acid identities at positions Pro321, Asp334, Pro256, and His63) to optimize cluster amplification reliability. Each substitution is chosen to improve specific aspects of enzyme performance, and the cumulative effect of these parameter changes produces enhanced cluster amplification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite enzyme structure by combining multiple amino acid substitutions within a single recombinase protein. This composite approach integrates the effects of four different mutations (Pro321Lys, Asp334Lys, Pro256Lys, His63Ser) to achieve synergistic improvement in cluster amplification reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If standard recombinase enzymes are used for PCR-free libraries, then the workflow is simpler, but sequencing coverage of certain regions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequencing coverage uniformityVSAvoidamplification efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes to the recombinase enzyme to improve its performance with PCR-free libraries. The amino acid substitutions enhance the enzyme's ability to bind and amplify single-stranded adapter regions, resulting in more uniform sequencing coverage across all genomic regions including previously poorly represented areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The altered recombinases demonstrate improved seeding and amplification capabilities, particularly for PCR-free libraries, resulting in enhanced cluster amplification and increased callability of regions previously poorly represented in sequencing data.

Implementation Method 1

Recombinase enzymes are useful in recombinase-mediated amplification of nucleic acids. For example, recombinase enzymes can facilitate targeting of oligonucleotides to DNA targets allow replication of DNA by a polymerase.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRecombinase-mediated amplification: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP3436471B1Recombinase mutants
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 ILLUMINA INC
  • EP3436471B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3436471B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3436471B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Presented herein are recombinases for improved recombinase-mediated amplification of nucleic acids, such as a PCR-library having single-stranded adapter regions, on a patterned flow cell surface for improved cluster amplifications, as well as methods and kits using the same.