Chimeric DNA Polymerase Master Mix for Unbiased dA-Tailing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current DNA sequencing methods face challenges in achieving unbiased DNA fragment end repair and tailing, leading to the formation of chimeric molecules that complicate genome assembly due to enzyme preferences for extending pyrimidine-rich ends over purine-rich ends, resulting in inefficient dA-tailing reactions and potential intermolecular ligation.

Innovation Solution

A composition of chimeric DNA polymerases, such as Thermus brockianus DNA polymerase fused with a nonspecific DNA binding domain, is used in a ready-to-use master mix with T4 DNA polymerase, Klenow fragment, and T4 polynucleotide kinase, optimized for one-tube DNA blunting, phosphorylation, and dA-tailing reactions, ensuring efficient and unbiased adenylation of DNA fragments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional DNA polymerases are used for dA-tailing, then the reaction proceeds, but enzyme preferences for pyrimidine-rich ends over purine-rich ends cause biased adenylation and formation of chimeric molecules

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunbiased adenylationVSAvoidchimeric molecule formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the enzymatic parameters by using a specific thermophilic DNA polymerase with optimized activity characteristics that reduces preference for pyrimidine-rich ends, thereby achieving more unbiased adenylation across different DNA fragment types and reducing chimeric molecule formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite enzyme system comprising multiple components including the thermophilic DNA polymerase, T4 polynucleotide kinase, and other auxiliary enzymes in a master mix formulation, where each component contributes specific functions that collectively achieve unbiased end repair and adenylation while minimizing artifacts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate reagent sets are combined by the user, then all necessary enzymes are available, but the workflow complexity increases with multiple pipetting steps and mixing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkflow simplicityVSAvoidnumber of pipetting steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate enzyme components (thermophilic DNA polymerase, T4 polynucleotide kinase, and other auxiliary enzymes) into a single pre-mixed master mix reagent, eliminating the need for users to perform multiple pipetting steps and mixing operations, thereby simplifying the workflow while maintaining all necessary enzymatic functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The master mix formulation provides universal functionality by incorporating all necessary enzymes and buffers in optimized concentrations, allowing a single reagent to perform multiple functions (end repair, phosphorylation, and adenylation) that previously required separate reagent sets and manual combination steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If dA-tailing is performed after blunting and phosphorylation, then the reaction sequence is complete, but inefficient adenylation of purine-rich ends results in lower yield

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedA-tailing efficiencyVSAvoidyield of dA-tailed fragments
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes reaction parameters including temperature, enzyme concentration, and incubation time to enhance the activity of the thermophilic DNA polymerase on purine-rich ends, achieving more efficient and uniform adenylation across all DNA fragment types, thereby increasing the overall yield of properly prepared library fragments

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

This approach results in high yield and reduced bias, with dA-tailed DNA fragments exceeding 75% efficiency, simplifying the DNA library preparation workflow by reducing pipetting steps and reaction time, and minimizing the formation of chimeric molecules that can complicate genome assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a composition of chimeric DNA polymerases, such as Thermus brockianus DNA polymerase fused with a nonspecific DNA binding domain, is used in a ready-to-use master mix with T4 DNA polymerase, Klenow fragment, and T4 polynucleotide kinase, optimized for one-tube DNA blunting, phosphorylation, and dA-tailing reactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDNA polymerization: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

T4 polynucleotide kinase, optimized for one-tube DNA blunting, phosphorylation, and dA-tailing reactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorylation: Enzyme

Implementation Method 3

optimized for one-tube DNA blunting, phosphorylation, and dA-tailing reactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDNA end repair: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP3049518B1Enzyme composition for DNA end repair, adenylation, phosphorylation
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 THERMO FISHER SCI BALTICS UAB
  • EP3049518B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3049518B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3049518B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Enzyme compositions and their method of use that provide ready-to-use master mixtures. Thexcompositions comprise a modified thermophilic DNA polymerase lacking 5'-3' and 3'-5' exonucleasexactivity premixed with T4 DNA polymerase, Klenow fragment and T4 polynucleotide kinase and all otherxnecessary components, including reaction buffer and nucleoside triphosphates, required to perform DNAxblunting, phosphorylation, and single nucleotide extension reactions in one tube and in two steps. Among other benefits, the mixture of different enzymes, buffers and nucleoside triphosphates is stable during prolonged storage.