Thermostable DNA Polymerase From a Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Strain KOD1

The present invention relates to a method of amplifying nucleic acid wherein DNA or RNA is amplified within a short reaction time and with a high fidelity, to a method of identifying nucleic acid utilizing said amplifying method and to a DNA polymerase and a reagent kit used for those methods.

[Prior Art]

Many studies have been made already for DNA polymerase of mesophilic microorganism such as Escherichia coli and for DNA polymerase derived from phages infectable by the mesophilic microorganisms. In addition, many studies have been also made already for heat stable DNA polymerases which are useful in a recombinant DNA technique by means of nucleic acid amplification such as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Examples of the heat-stable polymerases which are used for the PCR are DNA polymerase (Tth polymerase) mostly derived from Thermus thermophilus and DNA polymerase (Taq polymerase) derived from Thermus aguaticus. Other known examples are DNA polymerase (Pfu polymerase) derived from Pyrococcus furiosus and DNA polymerase (Vent polymerase) derived from Thermococcus litoralis.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, with the Taq polymerase, fidelity and thermostability upon the synthesis of DNA are not sufficient. Although the Pfu polymerase exhibiting excellent fidelity and thermostability has been developed, said Pfu polymerase has some problems that its DNA extension rate is slow and a processivity is low whereby it has been used only for a specific PCR.

Recently, a PCR whereby 20 kb or more DNA is amplified (hereinafter, referred to as a long-PCR) has been developed. In said long-PCR, both Taq polymerase and Pfu polymerase are mixed whereby properties of both enzymes are utilized.

However, when two enzymes having different properties are used in the same reaction system, some discrepancies might occur in their appropriate reaction conditions whereby there is a question whether the high extension rate and fidelity which are the advantages of each of those enzymes can be still maintained. Moreover, because of the difference in the thermostabilities and in the composition of the stock solutions of both enzymes, there is a question as to the stability when they are stored in the same container.

In view of the above, there has been a keen demand for novel thermostable polymerase which exhibits both of those advantages.

FIG. 1 is a stained alkaline agarose gel on which DNA extended by Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Strain KOD1 polymerase for various lengths of time was separated.

FIG. 2a is a stained alkaline agarose gel on which DNA extended for various times using the present polymerase and using Pfu polymerase was separated.

FIG. 2b is a stained alkaline agarose gel on which DNA extended by Deep Vent polymerase and DNA extended by Taq polymerase was separated.

FIG. 3 is a comparison of PCR products obtained using the present polymerase at different reaction times.

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of the construction of a recombinant vector encoding the present polymerase gene.

FIG. 5 is a stained SDS-PAGE gel showing the molecular weight of the present polymerase.

FIG. 6 is a stained SDS-PAGE gel showing the PCR products of a reaction driven by the present polymerase.

FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of the intron and exon structure of the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon strain KOD1 polymerase gene.

The present inventors have succeeded in preparing a thermostable DNA polymerase from a hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1, and, when its properties are investigated, it has been found that said DNA polymerase exhibits the advantages of the above-mentioned two enzymes, i.e. high extension rate and high fidelity, whereby the present invention has been achieved.

Thus, the present invention relates to a method for amplifying a target nucleic acid comprising reacting the target nucleic acid with four kinds of dNTP and primer complementary to said target nucleic acid in a buffer solution which contains a thermostable DNA polymerase having a DNA extension rate of at least 30 bases/second and a 3'-5' exonuclease activity such that the above mentioned primer is annealed to the target nucleic acid and an extention product is synthesized from the primer.

The present invention further relates to a method for amplifying a target nucleic acid in a sample wherein each target nucleic acid consists of two separate complementary strands which comprises the following steps A to D, characterized in that a thermostable DNA polymerase having a DNA extension rate of at least 30 bases/second and a 3'-5' exonuclease activity is used as a thermostable DNA polymerase;

A: modifying the target nucleic acid, if necessary, to produce single-stranded nucleic acids;

B: reacting the single-stranded nucleic acids with four kinds of dNTP and primers, wherein said primers are selected so as to be sufficiently complementary to different strands of target nucleic acid to anneal therewith, in a buffer solution which contains a thermostable DNA polymerase such that the above mentioned primers are annealed to the single-stranded nucleic acids and extention products are synthesized from the primers,

C: separating the primer extention products from the templates on which they are synthesized to produce single-stranded nucleic acids; and

D: repeatedly conducting the above mentioned steps B and C.

The present invention further relates to a method for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample wherein each target nucleic acid consists of two separate complementary strands which comprises the following steps A to E, characterized in that a thermostable DNA polymerase having a DNA extension rate of at least 30 bases/second and a 3'-5' exonuclease activity is used as a thermostable DNA polymerase;

A: modifying the target nucleic acid, if necessary, to produce single-stranded nucleic acids;

B: reacting the single-stranded nucleic acids with four kinds of dNTP and primers, wherein said primers are selected so as to be sufficiently complementary to different strands of target nucleic acid to anneal therewith, in a buffer solution which contains a thermostable DNA polymerase such that the above mentioned primers are annealed to the single-stranded nucleic acids and extention products are synthesized from the primers,

C: separating the primer extention products from the templates on which they are synthesized to produce single-stranded nucleic acids;

D: repeatedly conducting the above mentioned steps B and C, and

E: detecting an amplified nucleic acid.

The present invention further relates to a reagent kit for amplifying target nucleic acid which comprises primers, wherein said primers are selected so as to be sufficiently complementary to different strands of target nucleic acid to anneal therewith, four kinds of dNTP, divalent cation, thermostable DNA polymerase having a DNA extension rate of at least 30 bases/second and a 3'-5' exonuclease activity and buffer solution.

The present invention further relates to a reagent kit for detecting target nucleic acid which comprises primers, wherein said primers are selected so as to be sufficiently complementary to different strands of target nucleic acid to anneal therewith, four kinds of dNTP, divalent cation, thermostable DNA polymerase having a DNA extension rate of at least 30 bases/second and a 3'-5' exonuclease activity, amplifying buffer solution, a probe capable of hybridizing with amplified nucleic acid and a detection buffer solution.

The present invention relates to a thermostable DNA polymerase which is obtainable from a strain KOD1 which belongs to a hyperthermophilic archaeon strain.

The present invention relates to an isolated DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from a KOD1 strain which belongs to hyperthermophilic archaeon.

The present invention further relates to a recombinant DNA expression vector that comprises the DNA sequence inserted into a vector, wherein the DNA sequence encodes the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from a KOD1 strain which belongs to hyperthermophilic archaeon.

The present invention further relates to a transformed recombinant host cell using a recombinant DNA expression vector that comprises the DNA sequence inserted into a vector, wherein the DNA sequence encodes the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from a KOD1 strain which belongs to hyperthermophilic archaeon.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a DNA polymerase obtainable from a KOD1 strain which belongs to hyperthermophilic archaeon, comprising culturing recombinant host cells which are transformed by a recombinant DNA expression vector that comprises the DNA sequence inserted into a vector, wherein the DNA sequence encodes the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from a KOD1 strain which belongs to hyperthermophilic archaeon, and recovering the produced thermostable DNA polymerase.

The present invention further relates to a method for purifying the DNA polymerase obtainable from a KOD1 strain which belongs to hyperthermophilic archaeon, comprising culturing the recombinant host cells which are transformed by a recombinant DNA expression vector that comprises the DNA sequence inserted into a vector, wherein the DNA sequence encodes the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from a KOD1 strain which belongs to hyperthermophilic archaeon, and further (a) recovering the cultured recombinant host cells, lysing them and preparing the cell extract, and (b) removing the impurified proteins derived from recombinant host cells.

The nucleic acid which is to be amplified by the present invention is DNA or RNA. There is no restriction at all for the sample in which such a nucleic acid is contained.

The thermostable enzyme which is used in the present invention is a thermostable DNA polymerase having at least 30 bases/second of DNA extension rate and having a 3'-5' exonuclease activity. Its specific example is a DNA polymerase derived from a hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 (called a KOD polymerase) and said enzyme may be either a thermostable enzyme purified from nature or an enzyme manufactured by a gene recombination technique.

The DNA extension rate in the present invention is calculated from the relationship between the reaction time and the size of the synthesized DNA in the reaction of various kinds of DNA polymerases such as ROD, Pfu, Deep Vent, Taq, etc. (5U) in each buffer using a substrate prepared by annealing a single-stranded DNA (1.6 .mu.g) of M13 with a primer (16 pmoles) complementary thereto. It is essential in the present invention that the DNA extension rate is at least 30 bases/second.

The DNA extension rates for each of the polymerases are 105-130 bases/second for ROD polymerase, 24.8 bases/second for Pfu polymerase, 23.3 bases/second for Deep Vent polymerase and 61.0 bases/second for Taq polymerase.

On the other hand, it is essential in the present invention that the thermostable DNA polymerase has a 3'-5' exonuclease activity.

In the present invention, the 3'-5' exonuclease activity is determined by checking the rate of release of .sup.3 H under the optimum condition for each polymerase using a substrate wherein the 3'-end of the lambda-DNA digested with HindIII labeled with [.sup.3 H]TTP.

In the 3'-5' exonuclease activity of each polymerase, free-.sup.3 H is found to be only 10-20%. In the case of Taq polymerase and Tth polymerase after an incubation period of three hours, in KOD polymerase and Pfu polymerase, it is 50-70%.

It has been confirmed that the KOD polymerase used in the present invention has a 3'-5' exonuclease activity and that, in the gene which codes for KOD polymerase, there is a DNA conserved sequence showing a 3'-5' exonuclease activity, which is the same as in the case of Pfu polymerase.

In the present invention, the fact whether there is a 3'-5' exonuclease activity is checked in such a manner that KOD polymerase is allowed to stand, using a DNA fragment into which the DNA of [.sup.3 H]TTP-labelled-lambda-DNA digested with HindIII is incorporated as a substrate, at the reaction temperature of 75.degree. C. in a buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl of pH 6.5, 10 mM KCl, 6 mM (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4, 2 mM MgCl.sub.2, 0.1% Triton X-100 and 10 .mu.g/ml BSA) and the ratio of the free-[.sup.3 H]TTP is determined.

At the same time, Taq polymerase and Tth polymerase having no 3'-5' exonuclease activity and Pfu polymerase having a 3'-5' exonuclease activity were checked using a buffer for each of them by the same manner as in the control experiments. The titer of each of the used polymerases was made 2.5 units.

The substrate DNA was prepared in such a manner that, first, 0.2 mM of dATP, dGTP, dCTP and [.sup.3 H]TTP were added to 10 .mu.g of lambda-DNA digested with HindIII, the 3'-end was elongated by Klenow polymerase, then DNA fragments were recovered by extracting with phenol and precipitated with ethanol and free mononucleotides were removed by a Spin column (manufactured by Clontech).

In the case of KOD polymerase and Pfu polymerase, 50-70% of free [.sup.3 H]TTP were detected after an incubation period of three hours, in the case of Taq polymerase and Tth polymerase, only 10-20% of free [.sup.3 H]TTP was noted.

It is preferred that said thermostable DNA polymerase contains an amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID No. 1.

It is also preferred that said thermostable DNA polymerase is an enzyme having the following physical and chemical properties.

Action: It has a DNA synthetic activity and a 3'-5' exonuclease activity.

DNA extension rate: at least 30 bases/second

Optimum pH: 6.5-7.5 (at 75.degree. C.)

Optimum temperature: 75.degree. C.

Molecular weight: about 88-90 Kda

Amino acid sequence: as mentioned in SEQ ID No. 1

An example of the methods for manufacturing DNA polymerase derived from a hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 is that thermostable DNA polymerase gene was cloned from strain KOD1 which was isolated from a solfatara at a wharf on Kodakara Island, Kagoshima so that a recombinant expression vector was constructed, then a transformant prepared by transformation by said recombinant vector was cultured and the thermostable DNA polymerase was collected from the culture followed by purifying.

In the present invention, the DNA polymerase derived from the above-mentioned hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 has a DNA synthesizing activity and a 3'-5' exonuclease activity and has a DNA extension rate of at least 30 bases/second. This property is used for conducting an amplification of nucleic acid.

The amplifying method of the present invention includes the following steps A to D.

A: modifying the target nucleic acid, if necessary, to produce single-stranded nucleic acids;

B: reacting the single-stranded nucleic acids with four kinds of dNTP and primers, wherein said primers are selected so as to be sufficiently complementary to different strands of target nucleic acid to anneal therewith, in a buffer solution which contains a thermostable DNA polymerase such that the above mentioned primers are annealed to the single-stranded nucleic acids and extention products are synthesized from the primers,

C: separating the primer extention products from the templates on which they are synthesized to produce single-stranded nucleic acids; and

D: repeatedly conducting the above mentioned steps B and C.

In the step A, the target nucleic acid is denatured if necessary to give a single-stranded nucleic acid. The means therefor may be a thermal treatment, a chemical denaturation or an enzymatic treatment. Preferably, it is a thermal treatment.

In the step B, said single-stranded nucleic acid is made to react with four kinds of dNTP (dATP, dGTP, dCTP and dTTP or dUTP) and primers with regular and inverted directions having complementary base sequences to the target nucleic acid in a buffer solution containing a thermostable DNA polymerase so that said primers are annealed to the single-stranded nucleic acid to conduct a primer extention reaction.

A primer with a regular direction and that with an inverted direction having complementary base sequences to the target nucleic acid are oligonucleotides having a base sequence which is complementary to one strand of target nucleic acid and is homologous to the other strand. Accordingly, one primer may be complementary to another primer elongate.

Preferred buffer solutions containing a thermostable DNA polymerase are Tris buffers containing divalent cation such as magnesium ion.

An example of the conditions for conducting an elongation reaction by annealing the primer is a method in which a cycle of 98.degree. C./1 second-1 minute and 68.degree. C./1 second-10 minutes is repeated for 30 times.

The step of separating an elongated primer for making a single strand in the step C may be a thermal treatment, a chemical treatment or an enzymatic treatment. Preferably, it is a thermal treatment or an enzymatic treatment using RNase.

In the step D, the above-mentioned steps B and C are repeated. To be more specific, it is preferred that heating and cooling of 98.degree. C./20 seconds and 68.degree. C./30 seconds are repeated at least for 30 cycles.

An amplifying method of the present invention is applicable to a PCR for amplifying a DNA of 20 kb or more (hereinafter, referred to as a long-PCR) as well. In this long-PCR, advantages of both high DNA extension rate of Taq polymerase and high fidelity in DNA synthesis caused by a 3'-5' exonuclease activity of Pfu polymerase are necessary and both enzymes are used after mixing them. In this case, there is a question on a stability when both enzymes are stored in the same container because of the difference between their thermostabilities and that between the compositions of their stored solutions. However, in the DNA polymerase derived from a hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1, a single enzyme exhibits both high DNA extension rate and high fidelity due to its 3',-5' exonuclease activity whereby it is possible that a long-PCR can be conducted by its sole use.

In the present invention, the amplified product produced by the above-mentioned amplification such as a labeled probe is used whereby a target nucleic acid can be detected.

Labeled probe is an oligonucleotide having a base sequence which is complementary to a target nucleic acid and is bonded with a labeled substance or a labeled binding substance.

Examples of the labeled substance are enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase, peroxidase and galactosidase, fluorescent substances and radioactive substances while examples of the labeled binding substances are biotin and digoxigenin. Labeled substance may be bonded via biotin, digoxigenin or avidin.

A method of introducing those labels into a probe is that, during the synthesis of oligonucleotide, dNTP to which those labeled substances or labeled binding substances are bonded is used as one of the components of dNTP whereby a synthesis is conducted.

Examples of detecting a nucleic acid bonded with a labeled probe are conventionally known methods such as a Southern hybridization and a Northern hybridization. In those methods, the fact that a hybrid is formed when single-stranded DNA and RNA are complementary each other is utilized whereby unknown nucleic acid fraction group is subjected to an agarose electrophoresis to separate it by size, then the nucleic acid fraction in the gel is subjected, for example, to an alkali treatment, the resulting single strand is transferred to a filter, immobilized and hybridized with a labeled probe.

As to a detection of the label in case an alkaline phosphatase is used as a labeled substance, when a chemoluminescent substrate such as a 1,2-dioxetane compound (PPD) is made to react therewith, only nucleic acid forming a hybrid is illuminated. This is sensitized to an X-ray film whereby the size of the target nucleic acid and its position on electrophoresis can be confirmed.

A reagent kit for nucleic acid amplification according to the present invention contains primers of regular and inverted directions having base sequences complementary to target nucleic acid, four kinds of dNTP, divalent cation, thermostable DNA polymerase having a DNA extension rate of at least 30 bases/second and having a 3'-5' exonuclease activity and a buffer solution.

An example of divalent cation is magnesium ion. Its concentration is preferably about 1-3 mM. Examples of the buffer solution are tris buffer (pH 6.5, 75.degree. C.) and tricine buffer (pH 6.5, 75.degree. C.).

A specific example of the composition is as follows.

20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 6.5, 75.degree. C.)

10 mM KCl

6 mM (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4

1-3 mM MgCl.sub.2

0.1% Triton X-100

10 .mu.g/ml BSA

20-200 .mu.M dNTPs

0.1 pM-1 .mu.M primer

0.1-250 ng template DNA.

A reagent kit for nucleic acid amplification according to the present invention contains a nucleic acid amplifying reagent comprising primers of regular and inverted directions having base sequences complementary to target nucleic acid, four kinds of dNTP, divalent cation, thermostable DNA polymerase having a DNA extension rate of at least 30 bases/second and having a 3'-5' exonuclease activity and a buffer solution for amplification, a target nucleic acid probe and a buffer for detection. The buffer for detection varies depending upon the label. For example, it includes a color reagent or a luminous reagent.

KOD1 which is a kind of hyperthermophilic archaeon used in the present invention is a strain isolated from a solfatara at a wharf on Kodakara Island, Kagoshima.

Mycological properties of said strain are as follows.

Shape of cells: coccus, diplococcus; having flagella.

Temperature range for the growth: 65-100.degree. C.

Optimum temperature for the growth: 95.degree. C.

pH range for the growth: 5-9

Optimum pH: 6

Optimum salt concentration: 2-3%

Auxotrophy: heterotrophic

Oxygen demand: aerophobic

Cell membrane lipids: ether type

GC content of DNA: 38%

The hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 was a coccus having a diameter of about 1 .mu.m and had plural polar flagella. From the mycological properties of the strain, its close relationship with Pfu DNA polymerase-productive bacterium (Pyrococcus furiosus) and with Tli (Vent) DNA polymerase-productive bacterium (Thermococcus litoralis) was suggested.

Cloning of the thermostable DNA polymerase gene of the present invention is carried out as follows.

Thus, the cloning method is that a primer is designed and synthesized depending upon an amino acid sequence in a conserved region of Pfu DNA polymerase (Nucleic Acids Research, 1993, vol.21, No. 2, 259-265).

First, a PCR is conducted using the above-prepared primers (e.g., SEQ ID Nos. 7 and 8) taking chromosomal DNA of the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 as a template to amplify the DNA fragment. The DNA sequence (e.g., SEQ ID No. 9) of the amplified fragment is determined and, after confirming that the originally set amino acid sequence is coded for, a Southern hybridization is conducted to the cleaved product of the chromosomal DNA with a restriction enzyme using said fragment as a probe. It is preferred that the approximate size of the fragment containing the target DNA polymerase gene is limited to about 4-7 Kbp.

Then DNA fragment of about 4-7 Kbp is recovered from the gel, a DNA library is prepared by Escherichia coli using said fragment and a colony hybridization is carried out using the above-mentioned PCR-amplified DNA fragment (e.g., SEQ ID No. 9) to collect a clone strain.

The DNA polymerase gene of the strain KOD1 cloned in the present invention is composed of 5010 bases (estimated numbers of amino acids: 1670) (SEQ ID No. 5).

Upon comparison with other DNA polymerases, there is a conserved region of .alpha.DNA polymerase which is an eukaryote type (Regions 1-5) in the gene of the present invention. In addition, there are EXO 1,2,3 which are 3'.fwdarw.5' exonuclease motif at the N terminal of said gene. In the conserved regions (Regions 1, 2) of the thermostable DNA polymerase gene derived from the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1, each of the intervening sequences is present and they are connected in a form where the open reading frame (ORF) is conserved.

When the thermostable DNA polymerase gene of the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 is compared with Pfu DNA polymerase gene derived from Pyrococcus furiosus (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Hei-05/328969) and with Tli (Vent) DNA polymerase gene derived from Thermococcus litoralis (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication He-06/7160) which are known enzymes, intervening sequence is present in the gene of the strain KOD1 of the present invention while there is no intervening sequence in the gene of the above-mentioned Pfu DNA polymerase and, in the Tli DNA polymerase gene, there are two kinds of intervening sequences but they are present within Regions 2 and 3 which are conserved regions and that greatly differs from the location where the intervening sequence in the thermostable DNA polymerase gene of KOD1 strain of the present invention exists (Refer to FIG. 7).

The gene of the present invention is a DNA which codes for the DNA polymerase derived from the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1. An example of said DNA contains a base sequence which codes for the amino acid sequence mentioned in SEQ ID No. 1 or 5. Further, such a DNA contains a base sequence mentioned in SEQ ID No. 5 or 6 or a part thereof.

In order to express the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 of the present invention in Escherichia coli, the intervening sequences of 1374-2453 bp and 2708-4316 bp in the base sequence shown by SEQ ID No. 5 are removed by means of a PCR gene fusion to construct a DNA polymerase gene of a complete form. To be specific, a PCR is conducted on a cloned gene containing the intervening sequence by a combination of three pairs of primers to amplify the three fragments which are divided by the intervening sequence. In designing the primers used here, a part of the fragment which is to be bonded to its terminal is contained in its 5'-end. Then a PCR is conducted using the fragments to be bonded utilizing the duplicated sequence of the terminal whereby each of the fragments is bonded. Further PCR is conducted by the same manner using the resulting two kinds of fragments to give a DNA polymerase gene in a complete form containing no DNA polymerase gene derived from the strain KOD1 containing no intervening sequence.

Any vector may be used in the present invention so far as it makes cloning and expression of the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from KOD1 possible and its example is phage and plasmid. An example of the plasmid is a plasmid vector wherein an expression induced by T7 promoter is possible such as pET-8c. Other examples of the plasmid are pUC19, pBR322, pBluescript, pSP73, pGW7, pET3A and pET11C and so on. Examples of the phage are lambda gt11, lambda DASH and lambda ZapII and so on.

Examples of the host cell used in the present invention are Escherichia coli and yeasts. Examples of Escherichia coli are JM109, 101, XL1, PR1 and BL21(DE3)pysS and so on.

In the present invention, the gene coding for the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from the above-mentioned KOD1 is inserted into the above-mentioned vector to give a recombinant vector and the host cell is subjected to a transformation using said recombinant vector.

In the production method of the present invention, the above-mentioned recombinant host cell is cultured whereby the thermostable DNA polymerase gene derived from the strain KOD1 is induced and expressed. The culture medium used for the culture of the recombinant host cell and the condition therefor follow the conventional methods.

In a specific example, Escherichia coli which is transformed by pET-8c plasmid containing a DNA polymerase gene in a complete form containing no intervening sequence derived from the strain KOD1 is cultured, for example, in a TB medium whereby an induction treatment is conducted. It is preferred that the induction treatment of T7 promoter is carried out by addition of isopropyl-thio-.beta.-D-galactoside.

The purifying method of the present invention includes, after culturing the recombinant host cells, a step wherein (a) recombinant host cells are collected, lysed and the cell extract is prepared and a step wherein (b) impure protein derived from the host cells is removed.

The thermostable DNA polymerase which is produced from the recombinant host cells is separated and recovered from the culture liquid by means of centrifugation or the like after culturing the host bacterial cells in a medium followed by inducing. After said bacterial cells are resuspended in a buffer, they are lysed by means of ultrasonic treatment, Dyno mill, French press, etc. Then a thermal treatment is conducted and the heat stable DNA polymerase is recovered from the supernatant fluid. In disintegrating the bacterial cells, ultrasonic treatment, Dyno mill and French press method are preferred.

A thermal treatment is preferred as one of the steps for removing the impure protein derived from the host cells. The condition for the thermal treatment is at 70.degree. C. or higher or, preferably, at 90.degree. or higher. Other means for removing the impure protein are various chromatographic techniques.

Molecular weight of the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 obtained as such is about 90 KDa (cf. FIG. 5).

When a polymerase chain reaction is conducted using said thermostable DNA polymerase, a sufficient amplification of the aimed DNA fragments is confirmed (cf. FIG. 6).

Now the present invention will be illustrated by referring partly to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a photographic picture of electrophoresis as a substitute for a drawing and shows the result of the measurement of the DNA extension rate of the KOD polymerase;

FIG. 2 is a photographic picture of electrophoresis as a substitute for a drawing and shows the comparison of the DNA extension rate of various thermostable DNA polymerases in which FIG. 2a shows the cases of KOD polymerase and Pfu polymerase while FIG. 2b shows the cases of Deep Vent polymerase and Taq polymerase;

FIG. 3 is a photographic picture of electrophoresis as a substitute for a drawing and shows the comparison of the PCR due to the difference in the reaction time of various thermostable DNA polymerase;

FIG. 4 shows the constructive charts of the recombinant expression vector;

FIG. 5 is a photographic picture of electrophoresis as a substitute for a drawing and shows the result of the measurement of molecular weight of the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from KOD1;

FIG. 6 is a photographic picture of electrophoresis as a substitute for a drawing and shows the result of the PCR by the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from KOD1; and

FIG. 7 is drawings which shows a comparison of the DNA polymerase gene derived from the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 with the thermostable DNA polymerase gene derived from Pyrococcus furiosus and that derived from Thermococcus litoralis which are thought to be similar bacteria.

The hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 isolated in Kodakara Island, Kagoshima was cultured at 95.degree. C. and then the bacterial cells were recovered. Chromosomal DNA of the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 was prepared by a conventional method from the resulting bacterial cells.

Two kinds of primers (5'-GGATTAGTATAGTGCCAATGGAAGGCGAC-3' [SEQ ID No. 7] and 5'-GAGGGCGAAGTTTATTCCGAGCTT-3' [SEQ ID No. 8]) were synthesized based upon the amino acid sequence at the conserved region of the DNA polymerase (Pfu polymerase) derived from Pyrococcus furiosus. A PCR was carried out using those two primers where the prepared chromosomal DNA was used as a template.

After the base sequence (SEQ ID No. 9) of the PCR-amplified DNA fragment was determined and the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID No. 10) was determined, a Southern hybridization was conducted using said amplified DNA fragment to the product of the strain KOD1 chromosomal DNA treated with a restriction enzyme whereby the size of the fragment coding for the DNA polymerase was calculated (about 4-7 Kbp). Further, the DNA fragment of this size was recovered from agarose gel, inserted into a plasmid pBS (manufactured by Stratgene) and Escherichia coli (E. coli JM 109) was transformed by this mixture to prepare a library.

A colony hybridization was conducted using a probe (SEQ ID No. 9) used for the Southern hybridization to obtain a clone strain (E. coli JM109/pBSKOD1) which is thought to contain the DNA polymerase gene derived from strain KOD1.

A plasmid pBSKOD1 was recovered from the clone strain E. coli JM109/pBSKOD1 obtained in Example 1 and its base sequence (SEQ ID No. 5) was determined by a conventional method. Further, the amino acid sequence was presumed from the determined base sequence. The DNA polymerase gene derived from KOD1 strain comprised 5010 bases wherein 1670 amino acids were coded.

In order to prepare a complete polymerase gene, the intervening sequence parts at two places (1374-2453 bp and 2708-4316 bp) were removed by a PCR fusion method. In the PCR fusion method, three pairs of primers (SEQ ID Nos.11-16) were combined using a primer recovered from the clone strain as a template and a PCR was conducted for each of them to amplify three fragments wherefrom the intervening sequences were removed. At that time, the primer used for the PCR was designed in such a manner that the side which binds to another fragment has the same sequence as the binding partner has. In addition, a design was conducted in such a manner that different restriction enzyme sites (EcoRV at N-terminal while BamHI at C-terminal) were created at both ends.

After that, among the PCR-amplified fragments, that which is located at the central part of the structure and that which is located at the N-terminal side are mixed and a PCR was conducted using each of the fragments as a primer. At the same time, the fragment located at the central part of the structure and that located at the C-terminal side are mixed and a PCR was conducted using each of the fragments as a primer. Two kinds of fragments obtained as such were subjected to a PCR once again to give gene fragments in a complete form having no intervening sequence, having EcoRV and BamHI sites at the N- and C-terminals, respectively and coding for the DNA polymerase derived from strain KOD1.

Further, said gene was subcloned using an expression vector which can be induced by T7 promoter, an NcoI/BamHI site of pET-8c and the previously-created restriction enzyme site to give a recombinant expression vector (pET-pol).

Escherichia coli (BL21(DE3)) was transformed using a recombinant expression vector (pET-pol) obtained in Example 3, the resulting transformant was cultured in a TB medium (mentioned in Molecular Cloning, p.A.2, 1989) and, at one hour before collecting the bacterial cells, an induction treatment of T7 promoter was conducted by addition of isopropylthio-.beta.-D-galactopyrenoside. Bacterial cells were recovered from the cultured liquid by means of centrifugation. They were resuspended in a buffer and disintegrated by an ultrasonic treatment to give a cell extract. In order to remove the impure protein derived from the host cells, the disintegrated cell solution was treated at 94.degree. C. for 20 minutes whereby the impure protein derived from the host cells trifugation to give a thermostable. DNA polymerase derived from strain KOD1.

The Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) pER-pol was deposited on Apr. 22, 1996 under the Budepest Treaty at National Institute of Bioscience and Human-Technology Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (1-3, Higashi 1 chome Tsukuba-shi Ibaraki-ken 305, JAPAN) in accordance with the Budapest Treaty under the accession number FERM BP-5513.

Molecular weight of the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from KOD1 obtained in Example 4 was calculated by means of an SDS-PAGE method whereby it was found to be about 86-92 kDa (FIG. 5). Further, a PCR was conducted using the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from KOD1 obtained in Example 4 and the known template primer whereupon a DNA fragment which was to be a target was confirmed (FIG. 6) by the same manner as in the case where the thermostable DNA polymerase derived from Thermococcus litoralis was used and a high thermostable DNA polymerase activity was confirmed.

Amino acid sequences were estimated from the DNA sequences of the DNA polymerase gene derived from the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 of the present invention (SEQ ID No. 6), the thermostable DNA polymerase gene derived from Pyrococcus furiosus (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Hei-5/328969) and the thermostable DNA polymerase gene derived from Thermococcus litoralis (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Hei-6/7160) and were compared and investigated.

In the DNA polymerase derived from KOD1 of the present invention, there were Regions 1-5 which were the conserved regions of .alpha.DNA polymerase of an eurokaryotic type. Further, there were EXO1, 2 and 3 which were 3'.fwdarw.5' exonuclease motifs at the N-terminal side. However, in each of the Region 1 and Region 2 which were the .alpha.DNA polymerase conserved regions, there were intervening sequences IVS-A and IVS-B (refer to FIG. 7).

On the other hand, in Pfu polymerase which is a thermostable DNA polymerase derived from Pyrococcus furiosus, there was no intervening sequence. In the case of Vent polymerase which is a thermostable DNA polymerase derived from Thermococcus litoralis, there were the intervening sequences (IVS1 and IVS2) in the .alpha.DNA polymerase conserved regions (Region 2 and Region 3) (refer to FIG. 7).

DNA prepared by annealing the M13mp18DNA with M13P7 primer having a base sequence as mentioned in SEQ ID No. 2 was used as a substrate and the rate of synthesizing the DNA in a reaction buffer solution [20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5 at 75.degree. C.), 10 mM KCl, 6 mM (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4, 2 mM MgCl.sub.2, 0.1% Triton X-100 and 10 .mu.g/ml nuclease-free BSA] containing the DNA polymerase derived from the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 manufactured in Examples 1-5 was investigated for the reaction time of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 seconds (FIG. 1) or 40, 60, 80 and 100 seconds (FIG. 2). The results are given in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2.

A part of the DNA sample during the elongation reaction was taken out for each reaction time and was added to a reaction stopping solution (60 mM EDTA, 60 .mu.M NaOH, 0.1% BPB and 30% glycerol) in the same amount.

The DNA samples obtained in the above process were separated and analyzed by means of an alkaline agarose electrophoresis and the size of the synthesized DNA was checked.

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in FIG. 1 show the results of the reactions for 0.3 minute (20 seconds), 0.7 minute (40 seconds), 1 minute (60 seconds), 1.3 minutes (80 seconds) and 1.7 minutes (100 seconds), respectively. It is apparent from FIG. 1 that the DNA extension rate of the DNA polymerase derived from the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 was 105 bases/second.

1, 2, 3 and 4 in FIG. 2 show the results of the reaction for 0.7 minute (40 seconds), 1 minute (60 seconds), 1.3 minutes (80 seconds) and 1.7 minutes (100 seconds), respectively. It is apparent from FIG. 2 that the DNA extension rate of the DNA polymerase derived from the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 was 138 bases/second.

On the other hand, the DNA synthesizing rate of each of Pfu polymerase (Stratgene), Deep Vent polymerase (New England Biolabo) and Taq polymerase (Takara Shuzo) was measured by the same manner in each of the buffers therefor (FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b). The DNA extension rates of those DNA polymerases were 24.8 bases/second for Pfu polymerase, 23.2 bases/second for Deep Vent polymerase and 61.0 bases/second for Taq polymerase.

From the above results, it was suggested that the DNA extension rate of the DNA polymerase derived from the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 was about six-fold of those of Pfu polymerase and Deep Vent polymerase and about two-fold of that of Taq polymerase.

A rate for resulting in an error in the DNA synthesis was measured by a method of Kunkel (Kunkel, 1985, Journal of Biological Chemistry, 260, 5787-5796). In this method, a DNA synthesis reaction was conducted using a DNA polymerase derived from the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 manufactured in Examples 1-5 using an M13mp18DNA having a gap at a lacZ part containing a part of the genes coding for .beta.-galactosidase as a substrate and transfected to E. coli JM109 in an NZY medium containing 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-.beta.-D-galactoside and isopropyl-thio-.beta.-D-galactoside using an M13mp18DNA in which lacZ part was double-stranded.

When .beta.-galactosidase wherein a function is lost or lowered was expressed due to a reading error or a frame shift during the synthetic reaction of DNA, it is not possible to utilize 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-.beta.-D-galactoside whereupon the color of plague becomes colorless or light blue. On the other hand, when there is no error in the synthesized DNA and a complete .beta.-galactosidase was expressed, plaque becomes blue. The rate of induction of error was measured in the DNA synthesis from the rate of the sum of colorless and light blue plaque to the total plaque.

The rate of induction of error in the DNA synthesis was also measured for Pfu polymerase (Stratgene), Taq polymerase (Takara Shuzo) and delta Tth polymerase (Toyobo) which were made to react by the same manner.

Further, the rate of induction of error in the DNA synthesis was also measured for a mixture of Taq polymerase and Pfu polymerase. The results are given in Table 1.

It is apparent from Table 1 that the fidelity of the DNA polymerase derived from hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 in the DNA synthesis reaction is suggested to be superior to Taq polymerase and same as Pfu polymerase. In addition, a mixture of Taq polymerase and Pfu polymerase exhibits a medium fidelity that it is superior to Taq polymerase and inferior to Pfu polymerase.

Lambda-DNA (3 .mu.g) was used as a target nucleic acid; oligonucleotides having a sequence as mentioned in SEQ ID Nos. 3 and 4 were used as primers; and a buffer containing 20 mM Tri-HCl (pH 7.5 at 75.degree. C.), 10 mM KCl, 6 mM (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4, 2 mM MgCl.sub.2, 0.1% Triton X-100, 10 .mu.g/ml BSA and 200 .mu.M dNTPs was used as a buffer. DNA polymerase derived from hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 (KOD polymerase), Taq polymerase which is widely used for PCR and Pfu polymerase which exhibits 3'-5' exonuclease activity were also used as the thermostable DNA polymerases. The used titer of each polymerase was 2 units.

A PCR amplification reaction was conducted using a DNA Thermal Cycler (Perkin-Elmer) in a schedule wherein a cycle comprising 94.degree. C./20 seconds and 68.degree. C./x second (x: reaction time) was repeated for 30 times. In the case of the DNA polymerase derived from the hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 (KOD polymerase), amplification of the target DNA was confirmed by conducting 30 cycles of 94.degree. C./20 seconds-68.degree. C./1 second while, in the case of Taq polymerase, amplification of DNA was first confirmed by conducting 30 cycles of 94.degree. C./20 seconds-68.degree. C./10 seconds. In the case of Pfu polymerase, amplification of DNA was at least confirmed by conducting 30 cycles of 94.degree. C./20 seconds-68.degree. C./1 minute. The results are given in FIG. 3.

In the present invention, it is possible to amplify the DNA with a high fidelity within a short reaction time when a DNA polymerase derived from hyperthermophilic archaeon strain KOD1 which is a thermostable DNA polymerase having at least 30 bases/second of DNA extension rate and having a 3'-5' exonuclease activity. When this method is made into a form of a kit, it is possible to improve the simplicity and convenience. In addition, when only one kind of thermostable DNA polymerase having both high extension rate (at least 30 bases/second) which has not been available yet and 3'-5' exonuclease activity is used, it is possible to shorten the time for the primer extention reaction and to amplify the relatively big product with a high fidelity.