TaqMan™ Universal PCR Master Mix, 1 x 5 mL - FAQs

We recommend using either the TaqPath ProAmp Master Mix or the TaqMan Genotyping Master Mix. The TaqMan Genotyping Master Mix has the advantage of proven performance with up to 3 days of pre- and post-PCR stability, allowing you to set up plates ahead of time or read the plates later (see the data here, https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/brochures/cms_039236.pdf) while the TaqPath ProAmp Master Mix can handle samples that may have inhibitors present.

miRBase continues to re-annotate the miRNA sequences as more information becomes available. A sequence that once mapped to a given species (e.g.: human) may no longer exist, so it is removed from miRBase. Accordingly, the original assay for that sequence no longer maps to an annotated miRNA, and as a result the annotation fields on the search results page on the Thermo Fisher Scientific portal are empty. An example of this is Assay “hsa-miR-505” (Assay ID 001049). miRBase continues to re-annotate the miRNA sequences as more information becomes available. A sequence that once mapped to a given species (e.g.: human) may no longer exist, so it is removed from miRBase. Accordingly, the original assay for that sequence no longer maps to an annotated miRNA, and as a result the annotation fields on the search results page on the Thermo Fisher Scientific portal are empty. An example of this is Assay “hsa-miR-505” (Assay ID 001049).

A TaqMan MicroRNA Assay has two components: an RT reaction containing a miRNA specific stem-loop reverse-transcription primer and a separate specific TaqMan miRNA Assay. The RT stem-loop primer provides the specificity for the mature miRNA target; it does not detect its precursor. The formation of a RT primer/mature miRNA-chimera extends the length of the 5’ end of the miRNA. The longer RT product provides a miRNA specific cDNA template amenable to the TaqMan assay design.

There are 2 steps involved in using the TaqMan MicroRNA Assays:

1. RT step: total RNA to cDNA using miRNA-specific RT primers from the TaqMan MicroRNA Assays and the TaqMan MicroRNA Reverse Transcription Kit (P/N 4366596, 200 reactions or 4366597, 1000 reactions)

2. PCR step: cDNA to PCR products using primers and probe from the TaqMan MicroRNA Assays together with TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix No AmpErase UNG (P/N 4324018).

MicroRNAs are believed to play an important role in post transcriptional gene regulation. A total of ~850 unique miRNAs have been discovered so far, including ~333 human miRNAs. They are relatively abundant, ranging from a few to as many as 50,000 molecules per cell. They account for approximately 1% of the predicted genes in animals and plants. The level of individual miRNAs varies dramatically across cell type and developmental stages. These differences in miRNA level are believed to be a key indicator of miRNA activity.

Recent research has implicated miRNAs in the following: cell development, differentiation, communication and cell death; DNA methylation and chromatin modification; metabolism; human cancer development; haematopoiesis; nervous system patterning; insulin secretion.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs, about 22 nucleotides in length, that play an important role in post-transcriptional gene regulation in animals and plants by targeting messenger RNA (mRNA) for degradation or translational repression. The miRNA precursors are transcribed from individual genes but are not translated into proteins. The primary transcript is processed in the nucleus to give one or more hairpin precursors that is exported to the cytoplasm. The mature miRNA is excised from the hairpin precursor. The mature miRNA is the biologically active form and regulates the expression of mRNA transcripts by binding to complementary sites on target mRNAs and inhibiting translation or, when there is perfect complementarity to the target sequence, inducing mRNA cleavage. In animals, translational repression, not transcript degradation, is the dominant miRNA mode of action.

The TaqMan Gene Expression Assays are optimized to work with one of the TaqMan qPCR Master Mixes that include TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix, No AmpErase UNG(P/N 4324018), TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix with AmpErase UNG (P/N 4304437), TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix II, No AmpErase UNG (P/N 4440040), TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix II, with AmpErase UNG (P/N 4440038) or TaqMan Gene Expression Master Mix (P/N 4369016) and with your cDNA. It is recommended to use the High Capacity cDNA Archive Kit (P/N 4322171) for converting your RNA to cDNA. TaqMan Gene Expression Assays are capable of being run on all Applied Biosystems Real-Time PCR Systems models including 7000, 7300, 7500, 7500 Fast, 7700, 7900HT, StepOne, StepOnePlus and ViiA 7 Instruments.

Both part numbers for TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix are supplied at a 2X concentration and contain the following components: AmpliTaq Gold DNA polymerase, dNTPs with dUTP, Passive Reference (ROX), and optimized buffer components. However, the part number 4304437 also contains AmpErase UNG and is not suitable to be used for One Step RT PCR.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Applications Support Center.

Although it is not recommend to freeze the Universal Master Mix, testing has shown that if it is frozen and then thawed, you should not experience any difficulties. If the Universal Master Mix is frozen, make sure that it is thoroughly thawed and mixed prior to use, followed by proper storage at 4 degrees C.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Applications Support Center.

You will need to confirm with the manufacturer of the restriction enzyme you are using to find out whether or not it can recognize dUTP-containing DNA.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our PCR and cDNA Synthesis Support Center.

Three limitations may contribute to the decrease in amplification efficiency:

1. Plateau occurs in PCR because of the progressive reduction in the efficiency of the primer-template complex formation due to product reannealing. The primers in PCR are always present at high excess and the kinetics of reannealing are determined by the molecule in the greatest concentration. Typically, total initial PCR primer concentrations are 2x10E-6 M. However, as the reaction proceeds, the DNA target concentration increases and the primer concentration decreases, albeit only slightly, to 1.4x10E-7 M to 2x10E-6 M, and it takes a longer time for the primer-template complex to form. If the product strands have a chance to reanneal to themselves, forming a very stable complex, the primers will not have a binding site for extension and doubling may not occur. This snap-back of product strands reannealing to themselves can occur in a few seconds (or less) at high DNA concentrations.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our PCR and cDNA Synthesis Support Center.

2. Primer concentration depletion. One cause of primer depletion is the formation of primer artifacts and other spurious, non-specific amplification products.

3. Insufficient enzyme concentration or polymerization time in late cycles. In a typical PCR amplification, 2.0 - 2.5 U or roughly 8x10E10 molecules of AmpliTaq DNA Polymerase are used. In plateau there are roughly 1x10E12 template copies leaving less than one molecule of AmpliTaq DNA Polymerase per primer-template complex. One way to overcome the limiting polymerase is to increase the extension time in the later cycles of the PCR amplification.