BACTERIOPHAGE PHI29 DNA POLYMERASE VARIANTS HAVING IMPROVED THERMOACTIVITY

摘要

The present invention provides mutated variants of bacteriophage phi29 DNA polymerase having greater activity than the natural enzyme at high temperatures (greater than 30°C, preferably 40-42°C). Said variants are, therefore, more thermoactive and have a higher amplification speed in comparison with the natural enzyme, significantly improving the efficiency of the amplification reactions in which they are used. Additionally, the variants of the invention enable the amplification of limiting quantities of template DNA, in the order of a picogram. The invention also provides a method for amplifying template DNA, wherein said variants, and a kit comprising said variants, together with the elements necessary for carrying out the method, are used.