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Sources, mechanisms of action, and treatment methods of inhibitors in PCR reactions

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a revolutionary technology in the biological sciences, has been widely applied in fields such as gene cloning, mutation analysis, and disease diagnosis. The basic principle of PCR technology is an enzymatic synthesis reaction carried out in an appropriate system in the presence of template DNA, DNA polymerase, four nucleotides, primers, and necessary cofactors. Inhibitors in the PCR reaction can significantly reduce PCR sensitivity and amplification efficienc
Jan 16th,2025 2078 Views

Sources of PCR inhibitors

  1. The sample itself: Many samples inevitably carry inhibitors during the collection process, such as polyphenols and chlorophyll in plant samples, hemoglobin, fat, and urea in animal samples, and humic acid in microbial samples.
  2. Experimental procedures: During the experimental operation, some reagents and equipment may also become sources of inhibitors, such as insufficiently washed centrifuge tubes and pipette tips, as well as phenol and chloroform used in the extraction process.
  3. Reaction system: Reagents in the PCR reaction system, such as insufficiently purified dNTPs and enzyme preparations, may also contain inhibitors.

Mechanism of action of PCR inhibitors

  1. Influence on binding to DNA template: Inhibitors can bind to the DNA template, preventing DNA polymerase from binding to and extending the template, thereby reducing amplification efficiency. For example, humic acid compounds contain numerous carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, which have physicochemical properties similar to the phosphate groups in the DNA phosphate backbone. This can affect the binding of template DNA to primers and hinder DNA chain extension. Furthermore, during the purification of the final reaction product, the similar structure of humic acid and DNA hinders the separation of humic acid inhibitors from the template DNA, thereby inhibiting PCR efficiency.
  2. Affects binding to DNA polymerase: DNA polymerase, a core reagent in PCR experiments, has a high activity level that directly impacts the efficiency of the PCR reaction. Studies have shown that heme, melanin, proteases, and metal ions can inhibit DNA polymerase activity, causing degradation, denaturation, or inactivation of active regions, thereby affecting its binding to primers and templates. Humic acid, on the other hand, can produce a non-competitive inhibitory effect on DNA polymerase, thereby reducing its maximum reaction rate.
  3. Dimer formation and changes in ionic strength in the reaction system: Primer dimers are formed by mismatches between the 3' ends of primers and can affect the primers; Mg 2+ It is an activator of DNA polymerase, Mg 2+ When the concentration is too high, it will reduce the specificity of amplification and inhibit DNA polymerase; 2+ When the concentration is too low, the amplification yield will be affected or even cause the amplification to fail.
  4. Oxidation: Some inhibitors have oxidative effects, leading to DNA degradation and affecting amplification results.

Removal of PCR inhibitors

1. The most fundamental way to overcome PCR inhibition is to remove the inhibitor from the sample

A. Sample processing

For different types of samples, appropriate pretreatment methods such as digestion, dissolution, washing, etc. are used to remove inhibitors.

(1) Plant samples: Extraction methods such as CTAB and SDS were used to remove inhibitors such as polyphenols and polysaccharides.

(2) Animal samples: Inhibitors such as proteins and lipids can be removed by methods such as proteinase K digestion and phenol-chloroform extraction.

(3) Microbial samples: Reagents such as sodium chloride and SDS can be used, combined with centrifugation and washing steps, to remove inhibitors such as humic acid.

B. Sample Purification

Use purification methods such as filtration columns and magnetic beads to remove inhibitors.

Second, the simplest way to overcome PCR inhibition is to dilute the sample, thereby reducing the concentration of PCR inhibitors.

3. The most worry-free method is to use a modified DNA polymerase or reaction system that is resistant to PCR inhibitors.

For example, by using enzymes with strong tolerance to inhibitors or adding stabilizers such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) to the reaction system, the success of subsequent analysis can be guaranteed. However, the cost of improved enzymes is often high, and different improved enzymes and optimized reaction systems may be required for different PCR inhibitors.

To ensure optimal experimental results, while removing PCR inhibitors, we should also avoid introducing new PCR inhibitors. For example, when selecting reagents, we should choose high-quality, inhibitor-free enzymes, dNTPs, and primers. During the experiment, we should strictly follow the experimental protocol to ensure that no inhibitors are introduced. We should also ensure that the experimental equipment is thoroughly washed to avoid cross-contamination.

Summarize

PCR inhibitors are the "invisible killers" that can hinder the success of PCR experiments. Understanding their sources, mechanisms of action, and removal methods is crucial for conducting PCR experiments. By implementing a series of measures, such as optimizing sample handling, selecting high-quality reagents, and standardizing experimental procedures, we can minimize the impact of inhibitors and ensure the smooth progress of experiments.

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