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What is the purpose of using Mn2+ (divalent cations) in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) instead of Mg2+?
  • a)
    To orientate dNTP within the active centre
  • b)
    To impart positive charge to dNTP
  • c)
    To increase the error rate
  • d)
    To increase the accuracy rate
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
What is the purpose of using Mn2+ (divalent cations) in Polymerase Ch...
As higher Mn2+ concentration increases the error rate during DNA synthesis, Mn2+can be utilized for PCR-mediated DNA mutagenesis.
In the presence of manganese as cofactor, RT-created DNA fragments do not appear. This is because in the presence of manganese, DNAse I cleaves both DNA strands at approximately the same site, yielding DNA fragments that are blunt-ended or that have protruding termini of only one or two nucleotides in length.
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What is the purpose of using Mn2+ (divalent cations) in Polymerase Ch...
Purpose of using Mn2+ in PCR instead of Mg2+

Mn2+ (divalent manganese cations) are sometimes used in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) instead of Mg2+ (divalent magnesium cations) to serve a specific purpose. The purpose of using Mn2+ in PCR is to impart a positive charge to dNTPs (deoxynucleotide triphosphates).

Explanation:

1. Importance of dNTPs in PCR:
PCR is a laboratory technique used to amplify specific segments of DNA. It requires the use of dNTPs, which are the building blocks of DNA. These dNTPs are incorporated into the growing DNA strand during the amplification process.

2. Role of divalent cations in PCR:
Divalent cations, such as Mg2+ or Mn2+, are essential for the activity of DNA polymerase, the enzyme responsible for synthesizing the new DNA strands in PCR. These cations help stabilize the structure of the enzyme and facilitate the binding of dNTPs to the DNA template.

3. Imparting positive charge to dNTPs:
When Mn2+ is used instead of Mg2+ in PCR, it imparts a positive charge to the dNTPs. This positive charge affects the binding properties of the dNTPs to the DNA template.

4. Effect on dNTP binding:
The positive charge on the Mn2+ ions can enhance the binding of dNTPs to the DNA template. This increased binding affinity can potentially lead to a higher rate of incorporation of dNTPs into the growing DNA strand.

5. Increased error rate:
However, the use of Mn2+ in PCR can also result in increased error rates. The higher binding affinity of Mn2+ with dNTPs can lead to the incorporation of incorrect or mismatched nucleotides into the DNA strand. This can introduce mutations or errors in the amplified DNA sequence.

Conclusion:
In summary, the purpose of using Mn2+ in PCR instead of Mg2+ is to impart a positive charge to dNTPs, enhancing their binding affinity to the DNA template. This can potentially increase the rate of incorporation of dNTPs into the growing DNA strand. However, it is important to note that the use of Mn2+ can also lead to an increased error rate in PCR amplification due to the higher binding affinity of Mn2+ with dNTPs.
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