The DNA polymerase-encoding gene from a thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

We have cloned, sequenced and characterized the gene encoding a DNA polymerase from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius (Sac). The putative transcription promoter and terminator elements, as well as a potential ribosome-binding site (rbs), have been identified in the flanking regions. One large open reading frame (ORF) found in the sequenced portion of the Sac genome encodes a protein of 875 amino acids (aa). All conserved motifs characteristic of family B of DNA polymerases have been found in the deduced primary structure of this enzyme. The Sac DNA polymerase also contains sequence motifs that form a proofreading exonuclease domain.