AP50 Polymerase Variants for Thermostable Rolling Circle Amplification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Phi29 DNA polymerases have limitations such as limited thermostability, resulting in slower reaction kinetics and reduced amplification efficiency, especially at higher temperatures and with DNA having high G/C content, which restricts their utility in certain nucleic acid amplification methods like rolling circle amplification (RCA).

Innovation Solution

Recombinant Bacillus phage AP50 polymerases, including modified versions with amino acid deletions, insertions, or truncations, exhibit improved thermostability, processivity, and polymerization rate, enabling efficient nucleic acid amplification, particularly in rolling circle amplification (RCA), even at elevated temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Phi29 DNA polymerase is used for rolling circle amplification, then nucleic acid amplification can be achieved, but thermostability is limited resulting in slower reaction kinetics and reduced amplification efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamplification efficiencyVSAvoidthermostability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the amino acid sequence of the Phi29 DNA polymerase to create variants with improved thermostability. Specific mutations in the polymerase structure allow it to maintain stability at higher temperatures, thereby improving reaction kinetics and amplification efficiency without sacrificing its core functionality in rolling circle amplification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If Phi29 DNA polymerase is used for amplification, then nucleic acid amplification can be performed, but processivity is limited restricting utility in certain methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveutility in amplification methodsVSAvoidprocessivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the polymerase structure through amino acid substitutions to enhance processivity, allowing the enzyme to maintain longer continuous synthesis without dissociation from the template. This improved processivity expands the versatility of the polymerase for various amplification methods including rolling circle amplification and other isothermal amplification techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If Phi29 DNA polymerase is used for RCA, then amplification can occur, but at higher temperatures reaction kinetics slow down and amplification efficiency reduces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamplification efficiencyVSAvoidreaction kinetics
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by introducing specific amino acid mutations that enhance the polymerase's thermal stability. These modifications allow the enzyme to maintain optimal conformation and catalytic activity at higher temperatures, thereby preserving fast reaction kinetics and high amplification efficiency even when conducted at elevated temperatures

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 recombinant AP50 polymerases provide enhanced thermostability and higher product yield, improving nucleic acid amplification efficiency and reducing reaction time, making them suitable for a wider range of nucleic acid amplification methods and samples, including in situ analysis.

Implementation Method 1

recombinant nucleic acid polymerases for DNA amplification reactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic polymerization: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP4511510B1AP50 polymerases and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 10X GENOMICS INC
  • EP4511510B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4511510B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4511510B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

The present disclosure relates in some aspects to recombinant Bacillus phage AP50 polymerases, modified AP50 polymerases, and compositions thereof. Also provided are methods of using the recombinant and/or modified AP50 polymerases for nucleic acid amplification (e.g., rolling circle amplification). In some aspects, the compositions and methods disclosed herein provide more robust amplification (e.g., RCA) reactions for improved in vitro and in situ analysis.