title: Enhancement of Borrelia burgdorferi PCR by uracil N-glycosylase.
abstract: Uracil DNA glycosylases are DNA repair enzymes present in virtually every organism. These enzymes function by excising from DNA uracil residues resulting from either misincorporation of dUMP residues by a DNA polymerase or deamination of cytosine. Recently, the enzyme has been exploited in PCRs as a means for controlling carryover contamination from previously amplified DNA. When the enzyme is used in amplifications of Borrelia burgdorferi target sequences, we have observed an enhancement in signal detected by a microwell plate DNA hybridization assay. This increase in signal is dependent upon the length of the target, is titratable with enzyme concentration, and has been observed with amplifications performed with both symmetric and asymmetric PCR profiles. The enhancement is shown to occur at the level of the target genomic DNA.
authors.affiliation: Hoffmann-LaRoche Inc., Roche Molecular Systems, Branchburg, New Jersey 08876.
authors.forename: Z G
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Loewy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mecca
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Diaco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D045647:DNA Glycosylases; D009699:N-Glycosyl Hydrolases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009758:Nymph / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology; D051981:Uracil-DNA Glycosidase
chemical_list: D045647:DNA Glycosylases; D009699:N-Glycosyl Hydrolases; D051981:Uracil-DNA Glycosidase