What functions do the dNTPs play in PCR?

Posted February 19, 2021

Answer

In PCR, deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs) serve as building blocks for new DNA strands. There are four different types of dNTPS, these include:

dATP (deoxyadenosine triphosphate)
dCTP(deoxycytidine triphosphate)
dGTP(deoxyguanosine triphosphate)
dTTP(deoxythymidine triphosphate)

In the extension step, DNA polymerase adds free dNTPs from the reaction mixture to the template DNA in the 5’-to-3’ direction. It does so by condensing the 5’-phosphate group of a dNTP with the 3’-hydroxy group at the end of the elongating DNA strand.

Additional resources

Cyber Green™ [Equivalent to SYBR® Green] *20X Aqueous PCR Solution*

6-ROX glycine *25 uM fluorescence reference solution for PCR reactions*

ReadiUse™ dNTP Mix *10 mM*

Chen, S. C., Halliday, C. L., & Meyer, W. (2002). A review of nucleic acid-based diagnostic tests for systemic mycoses with an emphasis on polymerase chain reaction-based assays. Medical mycology, 40(4), 333-357.

Chuang, L. Y., Cheng, Y. H., & Yang, C. H. (2013). Specific primer design for the polymerase chain reaction. Biotechnology letters, 35(10), 1541-1549.