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AAT Bioquest

What are the functions of MgCI2 in a PCR reaction?

Posted February 28, 2024


Answer

MgCl2 acts as a cofactor for Taq polymerase. It's crucial for Taq polymerase to work properly, helping it stay stable and active. Additionally, MgCl2 plays a role in stabilizing the double-stranded DNA and assisting the primers in binding to the template DNA during PCR. MgCl2 also increases melting temperature to partially unwind the DNA strands for copying. This is important for making sure the primers stick to the DNA properly. Another function of MgCl2 in PCR is to modify the concentration of magnesium ions (Mg2+) in PCR reactions. It's compatible with various PCR Master Mixers such as HOT FIREPol® Blend, as well as other commercial mixes, polymerases, and PCR beads. Overall, MgCl2 makes the PCR reaction work more effectively, leading to better results in copying DNA.  

Additional resources

Polymerase Chain Reaction: Basic Protocol Plus Troubleshooting and Optimization Strategies

TAQuest™ qPCR Master Mix with Helixyte™ Green *No ROX*

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)