Polymerase evolution: efforts toward expansion of the genetic code.

ABSTRACT: Genetic information is encoded by, but potentially not limited to, a four-letter alphabet. A variety of predominantly hydrophobic nucleobase analogues that form self-pairs in DNA have been examined as third base pair candidates. For example, the PICS self-pair is both stable in duplex DNA and synthesized by some wild-type polymerases with reasonable efficiency. These efforts to expand the genetic code are expected to be facilitated by optimizing both the unnatural nucleobase analogues and the polymerases that replicate them. Here, we report the use of an activity-based selection system to evolve a DNA polymerase that more efficiently replicates DNA containing the PICS self-pair. The selection system is based on the co-display on phage of DNA polymerase libraries and a DNA substrate contain

SUBMITTER: Leconte AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2538546 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature