Recombinase polymerase amplification

Abstract

This disclosure describe three related novel methods for Recombinase-Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of the bacterial RecA and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed methods has the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes. Further, the improved processivity of the disclosed methods allow amplification of DNA up to hundreds of megabases in length.

1 . A RPA process of DNA amplification of a double stranded target sequence, said target sequence comprising a first and a second strand of DNA, comprising the steps of:
 (a) contacting a recombinase agent with a first and a second nucleic acid primer to form a first and a second nucleoprotein primer;   (b) contacting the first and second nucleoprotein primers to said double stranded target sequence thereby forming a first double stranded structure at a first portion of said first strand and form a double stranded structure at a second portion of said second strand such that the 3′ ends of said first nucleic acid primer and said second nucleic acid primer are oriented toward each other on the same template nucleic acid molecule;   (c) extending the 3′ end of said first and second nucleoprotein primer with one or more polymerases and dNTPs to generate a first and second double stranded nucleic acid and a first and second displaced strand of nucleic acid   (d) continuing the reaction through repetition of (b) and (c) until a desired degree of amplification is reached.   
     
     
         2 .- 72 . (canceled)