Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the eubacterium Thermosipho africanus. The enzyme has DNA polymerase, activity reverse transcriptase activity, and optionally 5'.fwdarw.3' and/or 3'.fwdarw.5' exonuclease activity. The enzyme can be native or recombinant, and may be used with primers and nucleoside triphosphates in a temperature-cycling chain reaction where at least one nucleic acid sequence is amplified in quantity from an existing sequence.

Abstract: A process of detecting a target nucleic acid using labeled oligonucleotides uses the 5' to 3' nuclease activity of a nucleic acid polymerase to cleave annealed labeled oligonucleotide from hybridized duplexes and release labeled oligonucleotide fragments for detection. This process is easily incorporated into a PCR amplification assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermostable DNA polymerases which exhibit a different level of 5' to 3' exonuclease activity than their respective native polymerases. Particular conserved amino acid domains in thermostable DNA polymerases are mutated or deleted to alter the 5' to 3' exonuclease activity of the polymerases. The present invention also relates to means for isolating and producing such altered polymerases.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA sequences encoding the DNA polymerase activity of Thermus thermophilus can be used to construct recombinant vectors and transformed host cells for production of the activity. T. thermophilus DNA polymerase is an .about.94 kDa protein especially useful in the DNA amplification procedure known as the polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides the nucleotide sequences of Acetobacter operons, cdg operons encoding genes for the biosynthesis and degradation of cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP). Specifically, the nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of 3 phosphodiesterases isozymes, 3 diguanylate cyclase isozymes, and 2 polypeptides of unidentified function are provided. Also provided for are various strains of microorganisms, including Acetobacter cells genetically manipulated so as to produce elevated and/or reduced levels of one or more cdg operon encoded proteins.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the replication and amplification of RNA sequences by thermoactive DNA polymerases. In a preferred embodiment, high temperature reverse transcription is coupled to nucleic acid amplification in a one tube, one enzyme procedure using a thermostable DNA polymerase. Methods for eliminating carry over contamination of amplifications due to prior reverse transcription reactions are also provided. Reagents particularly suited for the methods of the present invention are provided.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the eubacterium Thermus species Z05. The enzyme has DNA polymerase, activity reverse transcriptase activity, and optionally 5'.fwdarw.3' exonuclease activity. The enzyme can be native or recombinant, and may be used with primers and nucleoside triphosphates in a temperature-cycling chain reaction where at least one nucleic acid sequence is amplified in quantity from an existing sequence.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the replication and amplification of RNA sequences by thermoactive DNA polymerases. In a preferred embodiment, high temperature reverse transcription is coupled to nucleic acid amplification in a one tube, one enzyme procedure using a thermostable DNA polymerase. Methods for eliminating carry over contamination of amplifications due to prior reverse transcription reactions are also provided.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the eubacterium Thermotoga maritima. The enzyme has a molecular weight as determined by gel electrophoresis of about 97 kilodaltons and DNA polymerase I activity. The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used with primers and nucleoside triphosphates in a temperature-cycling chain reaction where at least one nucleic acid sequence is amplified in quantity from an existing sequence.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA sequences encoding the DNA polymerase activity of Thermus thermophilus can be used to construct recombinant vectors and transformed host cells for production of the activity. T. thermophilus DNA polymerase is an .about.94 kDa protein especially useful in the DNA amplification procedure known as the polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: Methods are provided for distinguishing between RNA and DNA templates in an amplification reaction. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the amplification reaction is a PCR and the reaction is catalyzed by a thermostable DNA polymerase or both reverse transcription and amplification of a target RNA. The invention particularly relates to selective amplification of RNA in the presence of homologous DNA, for example, HIV nucleic acids.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the replication and amplification of RNA sequences by thermoactive DNA polymerases. In a preferred embodiment, high temperature reverse transcription is coupled to nucleic acid amplification in a one tube, one enzyme procedure using a thermostable DNA polymerase. Methods for eliminating carry over contamination of amplifications due to prior reverse transcription reactions are also provided. Reagents particularly suited for the methods of the present invention are provided.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA sequences encoding the DNA polymerase activity of Pyrodictium species can be used to construct recombinant vectors and transformed host cells for production of the activity. Pyrodictium enzymes for catalyzing 3'.fwdarw.5' exonuclease activity, i.e., proofreading enzymes, are also provided. The Pyrodictium enzymes are useful in DNA amplification procedures and are not irreversibly inactivated by exposure to 100.degree. C. in a polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: A process of detecting a target nucleic acid using labeled oligonucleotides which uses the 5' to 3' nuclease activity of a nucleic acid polymerase to cleave annealed labeled oligonucleotide from hybridized duplexes and thus releasing labeled oligonucleotide fragments for detection. This process is easily incorporated into a PCR amplification assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermostable DNA polymerases which have been mutated such that a lesser amount of 5' to 3' exonuclease activity is exhibited from that which is exhibited by the native enzyme.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the eubacterium Thermus species Z05. The enzyme has DNA polymerase, activity reverse transcriptase activity, and optionally 5'.fwdarw.3' exonuclease activity. The enzyme can be native or recombinant, and may be used with primers and nucleoside triphosphates in a temperature-cycling chain reaction where at least one nucleic acid sequence is amplified in quantity from an existing sequence.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the eubacterium Thermotoga maritima. The enzyme has a molecular weight as determined by gel electrophoresis of about 97 kilodaltons and DNA polymerase I activity. The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used with primers and nucleoside triphosphates in a temperature-cycling chain reaction where at least one nucleic acid sequence is amplified in quantity from an existing sequence.

Abstract: Improved methods for amplifying nucleic acids can reduce non-specific amplification and minimize the effects of contamination of nucleic acid amplification reaction assays due to amplified product from previous amplifications. The methods involve the introduction of unconventional nucleotide bags into the amplification reaction products and treating the products by enzymatic (e.g., glycosylases) and/or physical-chemical means to render the product incapable of acting as a template for subsequent amplifications.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the replication and amplification of RNA sequences by thermoactive DNA polymerases. Reverse transcription of RNA is catalyzed by, for example, 94 kDa Taq, 62 kDa Taq, and recombinant Tth DNA polymerase. Reverse transcription is coupled to PCR amplification in a one enzyme procedure using a thermostable polymerase.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the bacterium Thermus species sps17. The enzyme has DNA polymerase activity, reverse transcriptase activity, and optionally, 5'.fwdarw.3' exonuclease activity. The enzyme can be native or recombinant, and can be used with selected primers and nucleoside triphosphates in a temperature-cycling chain reaction where at least one nucleic acid sequence is amplified in quantity from an existing sequence.