What functions does MgCl2 serve in PCR?

MgCl2 is a cofactor for Taq enzyme and act as a catalyst. During PCR reaction, dNTP's are disassociated into dNMP's to form phosphodiester bond between 3' OH of adjacent nucleotide and 5' Phosphate of the upcoming nucleotide. read more

MgCl2 is a cofactor for Taq enzyme and act as a catalyst. During PCR reaction, dNTP’s are disassociated into dNMP's to form phosphodiester bond between 3' OH of adjacent nucleotide and 5' Phosphate of the upcoming nucleotide. Here, Mg++ binds to the alpha phosphate group of dNTP and helps in the removal of beta and gamma Phosphate from dNTP. read more

An essential cofactor for the DNA polymerase in PCR is Magnesium chloride. Its concentration must be optimized for every primer:template system. Many components of the reaction bind magnesium ion, including primers, template, PCR products and dNTPs. read more

Because it is necessary for free magnesium ion to serve as an enzyme cofactor in PCR, the total magnesium ion concentration must exceed the total dNTP concentration. Typically, to start the optimization process, 1.5 mM magnesium chloride is added to PCR in the presence of 0.8 mM total dNTPs. read more