Taq Polymerase, isolated in 1960 by Dr. Thomas Brock, is a protein that originates from
the hot spring bacterium, Thermus aquaticus (Landgraf and Wolfes, 1993). The discovery of Taq
polymerase has a profound effect on
...
Taq Polymerase, isolated in 1960 by Dr. Thomas Brock, is a protein that originates from
the hot spring bacterium, Thermus aquaticus (Landgraf and Wolfes, 1993). The discovery of Taq
polymerase has a profound effect on the scientific world. Taq polymerase aided in the
development of the polymerase chain reaction as well as being a crucial protein for the discovery
of the Human Genome Project (Landgraf and Wolfes, 1993). Without the discovery of this
enzyme, much scientific advancement would have been delayed or not developed at all.
Taq Polymerase has unique properties, differentiating itself from most proteins. For one,
this protein is thermostable, meaning it can withstand high temperature environments without
denaturation (Voet D & Voet J, 2010). Taq polymerase has “maximal catalytic activity at 75-80
degrees Celsius and reduced activity at lower temperatures” (Voet D & Voet J, 2010). Most
proteins are seen to thrive under less extreme environments, but the opposite trend holds true for
Taq polymerase. Lastly, Taq polymerase has an error rate of 2.2X10-5 errors per nucleotide per
cycle in PCR (Voet D & Voet J, 2010). Taq’s ability to withstand high temperature conditions and
high fidelity makes it a protein of interest for use in for numerous of procedures.
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