Patent Publication Number: US-9885025-B2

Title: Phi29 DNA polymerase mutants having increased thermostability and processivity

Description:
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/135,860, filed Dec. 20, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/815,893, filed Apr. 25, 2013, each of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     Mutants and methods utilizing such mutants, of bacteriophage phi29 DNA polymerase (phi29 DNA polymerase mutants). Such mutants have increased thermostability and result in increased processivity. 
     Bacteriophage phi29 DNA polymerase is a monomeric enzyme of 66 kDa, a protein-primed DNA-dependent replicase belonging to the eukaryotic-type family of DNA polymerases (family B) (Bernad et al., 1987). Like other DNA polymerases, it accomplishes DNA synthesis by adding nucleotides to the 3′-OH group of growing DNA chain with insertion discrimination values ranging from 10 4  to 10 6  (Esteban et al., 1993). It contains AN exonuclease domain that catalyzes 3′→5′ exonucleolysis of mismatched nucleotides. This proofreading feature enhances replication fidelity 10 2 -fold (Esteban et al., 1994). 
     Phi29 DNA polymerase has distinctive functional features when compared to other replicases. (1) In vivo, it can initiate DNA synthesis by adding dAMP onto the hydroxyl group of Ser 232  of phage terminal protein (TP) (Salas &amp; da Vega 2006). (2) Unlike most replicases that rely on accessory proteins to be stably bound to the DNA, phi29 DNA polymerase itself has very strong binding capacity to single stranded DNA, and performs DNA synthesis without processivity factors, accounting for the highest known processivity (&gt;70 kb) among other DNA polymerases (Blanco et al., 1989). (3) It unwinds the parental DNA helix, using dNTP cleavage energy for DNA polymerization that accompanies DNA unwinding and enabling it to replicate the double-stranded genome without any unwinding protein. 
     Compared with the structure of other family B DNA polymerases, phi 29 DNA polymerase shows a common (right hand) fold containing palm, thumb and fingers subdomains (Kamtekar et al., 2004). The main structural difference between phi29 DNA polymerase and family B DNA polymerases is the presence of two additional subdomains, called TPR1 and TPR2 that are insertions between the fingers and palm subdomains (Dufour et al., 2000). TPR2 helps to form a narrow tunnel around the downstream DNA, forcing separation of the second strand before its entry into polymerase active site (Rodriguez et al. 2005). Additionally palm, thumb, TPR1, and TPR2 form a doughnut-shaped structure around the upstream duplex product, providing maximal DNA-binding stability which potentially enhances processivity in a manner analogous to sliding-clamp proteins (Berman et al. 2007). Such structural peculiarity provides high processivity and strand displacement activity which enables phi29 DNA polymerase to be used in isothermal multiple displacement amplification (MDA) (Dean et al. 2002), or rolling circle amplification (RCA) (Lizardi et al. 1998). 
     Amplification technologies based on phi29 DNA polymerase have several advantages compared to classical PCR DNA amplification methods. Any DNA sample can be amplified, because no sequence information is required; instead, random hexamer primers are used for DNA synthesis initiation. Amplicons synthesized by the phi29 DNA polymerase can be much larger comparing to those obtained by PCR. Isothermal DNA amplification reactions do not require special laboratory equipment such as thermal cyclers. These advantages make phi29 DNA polymerase suitable for detection and analysis of known and unknown circular viral genomes (Johne et al. 2009), replication of pathogenic plasmids (Hutchison et al. 2005), amplification of very small DNA samples, e.g. replication from filter paper blood spot samples, and for the description of new metagenomes. The ability to use small circular DNA samples (padlock probes) can be applied for generation of periodic DNA nanotemplates (Simmel et al. 2005) or RNA detection (Lagunavicius et al. 2010). High processivity, strong strand displacement activity, and high accuracy allow the enzyme to amplify whole genomes with minimal amplification bias or allele dropout (Lasken et al. 2003; Weissman et al. 2008) compared to PCR based whole genome amplification (WGA) methods, such as degenerate oligonucleotide polymerization (DOP-PCR) or primer extension polymerization (PEP-PCR) reaction. The stability of the phi29 DNA polymerase-DNA complex makes phi29 DNA polymerase attractive for single-molecule techniques. Phi29 DNA polymerase-DNA complexes are stable when captured in an electric field across the α-hemolysin nanopore, and can be used to study nucleic acid by drawing through the nanopore lumen during replication (Akeson et al. 2010). 
     For applications such as those described, the ability to perform reactions at increased temperature would be advantageous so that amplification reaction kinetics would be faster. Phi29 DNA polymerase is a typical mezophilic enzyme with an optimal reaction temperature of 30° C. A 30° C. reaction temperature may cause problems during amplification of DNA with high G/C content. Elevated reaction temperatures could improve DNA amplification efficiency and decrease formation of template-independent, non-specific reaction products in the whole genome amplification (WGA) reaction (Alsmadi et al. 2009). The 30° C. relatively low working temperature of phi29 DNA polymerase limits its application; a more thermostable enzyme could be used in many more DNA amplification techniques, generate more product, work faster, and increase amplification reaction sensitivity. 
     Attempts to improve phi29 DNA polymerase characteristics were performed. Amino acid mutations were inserted, or the phi29 DNA polymerase was fused with DNA binding motifs (de Vega et al. 2010). In determining the nucleotide base sequence of a DNA molecule, non-natural phi29 DNA polymerase was used in which the amino acid moiety at position 12, 14, or 16 of the polymerase was replaced by alanine, which resulted in reduced exonuclease activity, retaining DNA polymerase activity unchanged (U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,543). Reagents and phi29 DNA polymerase modifications were described that increase residence times for nucleotide analogues, for use in analytical operations such as nucleic acid sequence analysis and determination (EP2089517A2). A modified phi29 DNA polymerase was generated to obtain more efficient incorporation of labeled nucleotides used to generate FRET signal upon incorporation (WO2009091847A2). Typically, the FRET donor is linked to the polymerase, and the FRET acceptor is attached to the incoming nucleotide. FRET emission occurs when the polymerase binds to the incoming nucleotide and the FRET donor is brought into close proximity with the FRET acceptor. Incorporated nucleotides can be identified by emission spectrum of the FRET acceptor. Such strategy can be used in single-molecule sequencing reaction. A modified phi29 DNA polymerase with increased resistance to photodamage was described (U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010009355); the method changed amino acid moieties susceptible to photodamage to less sensitive amino acids. Photodamage resistance is very important in analysis systems using optical labels, e.g., single-molecule sequencing reaction. Prolonged exposure of chemical and biochemical reactants to radiation energy during excitation and detection of optical labels can damage polymerase by oxidizing sensitive amino acid moieties. 
     The inventive phi29 DNA polymerase mutants have increased protein stability and increased half-life, compared to wild type DNA polymerase. They are more stable in reaction mixtures with or without DNA. The inventive phi29 DNA polymerase mutants generate more amplification product. The inventive phi29 DNA polymerase mutants amplify genomic DNA with less bias compared to wild type DNA polymerase. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows substitutions of amino acid residues in selected clones. 
         FIG. 2  shows CLUSTALW alignment of 30 selected protein sequences (SEQ ID NOS 10-40, respectively, in order of appearance). 
         FIGS. 3A-F  compare half-life (T 1/2 ) activities between wild-type and mutant variants of phi29 DNA polymerase. 
         FIGS. 4A-B  compare T 1/2  activities between wild-type phi29 DNA polymerase and mutant variants containing single mutations. 
         FIGS. 5A-C  compares efficiency of multiple displacement amplification (MDA) reaction between wild-type and mutant variants of phi29 DNA polymerase. 
         FIG. 6  compares coverage evenness between wild-type and mutant variants of phi29 DNA polymerase. 
         FIG. 7  compares CG content between after whole genome analysis (WGA) between wild-type and mutant variants of phi29 DNA polymerase. 
         FIG. 8  compares DNA binding between of wild-type and mutant variants of phi29 DNA polymerase. 
     
    
    
     Random mutagenesis of wild type phi29 DNA polymerase gene was performed and a mutant library was created. Phi29 DNA polymerase mutants were selected using modified compartmentalized self replication (CSR) scheme. Multiple displacement amplification (MDA) reaction was used to screen a mutant library of phi29 DNA polymerase to find enzymes that were more thermostable and catalytically faster. Seven screening rounds were performed by increasing the reaction temperature from 40° C. to 50° C. and by shortening the reaction time from 16 hours to 4 hours. Selected clones of randomly mutated phi29 DNA polymerase were sequenced and analyzed. Sequencing data revealed possible mutations with a stabilizing effect on the phi29 DNA polymerase protein and enabled enzymatic activity at higher temperatures compared to wild type enzyme. 
       FIG. 1  shows substitutions of amino acids found in selected clones. Twelve most frequently found mutations were identified, these were M8R; V51A; M97T; L123S; G197D, K209E; E221K, E239G; Q497P; K512E; E515A; F526L. 
       FIG. 2  shows multiple sequence alignment, using Clustalw, of 30 wild type and mutant proteins sequences. As is known in the art, such alignment identifies regions of similarity that may be a consequence of functional, structural, or evolutionary relationship. The wild-type sequence of phi29 DNA polymerase, denoted as wt, is given as a first sequence. The mutations are marked using white font color in a black background. The amino acids positions, mutations of which provided improved properties of phi29 DNA polymerase as known in the art, are marked as columns of amino acids (black font) highlighted in grey. The mutations originating from the presently disclosed selection and located in grey columns indicate that the inventive selection procedure targeted precisely the beneficial hot spot or even the exact amino acid change described elsewhere. Amino acids positions and references are:
     T15, C22, N62, K132, K135, D169, V250, Y254, P255, C290, L351, K371, E375, A377, K379, Q380, K383, L384, N387, S388, C448, D456, D458, K478, E486, K512, K525, C530 referenced in WO 2009091847A2;   N62, K135, T368, E375, E486, K512 referenced in EP 1963536A2;   K135, T368, T372, K478, L480, K512 referenced in EP 2089517A2;   K64, F69, I70, I71, N72, W73, L74, E75, R76, T92, Y101, F128, K143, P153, I179, Q183, M188, T189, G191, F198, F211, R236, D249, N251, L253, Y254, P255, Y259, Q303, K305, N313, F360, F363, D365, T368, I370, K371, T372, T373, S374, E375, G376, A377, I378, K379, Q380, L381, A382, K383, L384, M385, L386, N387, S388, L389, Y390, G391, K392, F393, A394, S395, N396, P397, K402, Y405, L406, K407, E408, N409, G410, A411, L412, G413, F414, K422, I433, D458, K478, L480, A484, E486, R496, Q497, Y500, I504, K507, E508, V509, D510, G511, K512, L513, V514, C529, A531, G532, T534, K538, K555, P558, Q560, V561, P562, G563, G564, D570, F572, I574, K575 referenced in US 20100112645A1; and   N62, F128, F230, W232, M246, F248, Y254, P300, Y315, F363, W367, T368, Y369, I378, M385, Y454, H461, Y482, W483, H485, F489, Y494, Y500, Y505, M506, Y521, F526 referenced in US 20100093555A1.   

     The described mutants increased protein stability. The mutant phi29 DNA polymerases performed at elevated temperatures, defined as temperatures exceeding 30° C. and had increased stability, defined in reaction mixtures without substrate. 
     The described mutants exhibited faster and more efficient DNA synthesis. This resulted in shorter time of DNA synthesis, generation of more product, and increased sensitivity threshold. 
     The described mutants increase phi29 DNA polymerase and DNA complex stability, due to increased affinity to DNA substrate. 
     The described mutants increased processivity. The mutants exhibited higher affinity to DNA and higher reaction velocity, which could synthesize more product without dissociating from DNA. 
     The described mutants exhibited unbiased whole genome amplification. Elevating the temperature of WGA reactions might result in less amplification bias, by eliminating the impact of GC content differences. 
     The described mutants exhibited resistance to inhibitors. Due to its stabilizing effect on phi29 DNA polymerase, the mutants may increase resistance to inhibitors such as heparin, formamide, guanidine hydrochloride, and/or photooxidative damage. 
     The described mutants exhibited increased accuracy; higher DNA polymerase fidelity is likely to occur with increased phi29 DNAP-DNA complex stability and processivity. 
     In one embodiment, phi29 DNA polymerase variants contained any single mutation among M8R; V51A; M97T; L123S; G197D; K209E; E221K; E239G; Q497P; K512E; E515A; F526L, or any combination of mutations among M8R; V51A; M97T; L123S; G197D; K209E; E221K; E239G; Q497P; K512E; E515A; F526L. In one embodiment. Mut_4 comprises five of these 12 mutations: M8R, V51A, M97T, G197D, E221K. In one embodiment, Mut_5 comprises eight of these 12 mutations: M8R, V51A, M97T, G197D, E221K, Q497P, K512E, F526L. The invention includes use of these mutations, either singly or in combination. 
     The following non-limiting examples illustrative use of the mutants and methods. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Selection of Thermostable and Faster Phi29 DNA Polymerase Mutants 
     A selection scheme of thermostable and faster phi29 DNA polymerase was based on compartmentalized self replication (CSR) strategy (Ghadessy et al. 2001) with modifications. 
     The wild-type phi29 DNA polymerase gene was mutated using error prone PCR. The mutated gene library was transformed into  Escherichia coli  ER2566 cells and phi29 DNA polymerase was expressed. Induced  E. coli  cells overexpressing mutant polymerases were washed two times with 1×Tango buffer and 0.5 mg/ml lyzozyme was added. The suspension was incubated for five min at room temperature. 
     Transformed Cells and Other Reaction Components were Emulsified Using the Following Protocol: 
     About 0.3 ml CSR mix containing 1×Tango buffer (330 mM Tris-acetate (pH 7.9 at 25° C.), 100 mM Mg-acetate, 660 mM K-acetate, 1 mg/ml BSA), 25 μM Exo-resistant random primer mix (5′-NpNpNpNpNp s Np s N-3′), 0.3 μM of primers no. 1 (5′-CAG CTG CAT TAA TGA ATC GGC CAAp s Cp s G-3′) (SEQ ID NO: 1) and no. 2 (5′-TTA GCA GCC GGA TCT CAGp s Tp s G-3′)(SEQ ID NO: 2), 1 mM dNTPs, and 1×10 7  of induced  E. coli  cells overexpressing mutant polymerases were added to 0.7 ml of oil phase containing 2% (vol/vol) ABIL EM 90, 0.055 (vol/vol) Triton X-100 in mineral oil under constant stirring (1714 rpm) at +4° C. (p s =phosphorothioate), After addition of the aqueous phase (gradually over two min), stirring continued for five min. The emulsion was then frozen at −80° C. and thawed at 37° C.-50° C. (temperature was increased gradually after each selection round), Five freezing-thawing cycles were performed. The emulsion was then incubated for 16-2 hours (incubation time was reduced gradually after each selection round). 
     After Incubation the Aqueous Phase was Extracted Using Following Protocol:
         1. Transfer 400 μl of emulsion to 1.5 ml tube and incubate at 75° C. for 10 min and centrifuge for three min at 13 000 rpm at room temperature, dispose of the upper (oil) phase.   2. Add 700 μl of water-saturated diethyl ether, vortex the tube, centrifuge for one min at 13 000 rpm and dispose of the upper (solvent) phase.   3. Add 750 μl of water-saturated ethyl-acetate, vortex the tube, centrifuge for one min at 13 000 rpm and dispose of the upper (solvent) phase.   4. Repeat step 2,   5. Remove residual solvent from the broken emulsion by centrifuging under vacuum for ten min at 37° C.       

     DNA was Extracted from Aqueous Phase Using Following Protocol:
         1. Add an equal volume of phenol/chloroform (1:1) solution to the aqueous phase, vortex and centrifuge for five min at 13 000 rpm.   2. Remove the aqueous phase into a fresh tube and add an equal volume of chloroform, vortex and centrifuge for five min at 13 000 rpm.   3. Remove the aqueous phase into a fresh tube and add a 0.1 volume of 3 M sodium acetate, pH 5.2, to the aqueous phase and then 2.5 volumes of absolute ethanol. Incubate at −20° C. overnight or for 30-60 min, centrifuge for ten min at 13 000 rpm.   4. Remove the supernatant and add 180 μl 70% (v/v) ethanol, centrifuge for two min at 13 000 rpm.   5. Remove the supernatant and dry the pellet at room temperature. Dissolve pellet in 37 μl of 1×Fast Digest buffer (Thermo Fisher Scientific).       

     After chloroform/phenol extraction and ethanol precipitation  E. coli  genomic DNA was digested and MDA product was linearized by adding 1.5 μl of FD DpnI and FD AlwNI restriction endonucleases. The reaction mixture was incubated for 30 min at 37° C. and five min at 65° C. 
     Selection products were amplified with primers no. 3 (5′-GCG AGC CCG ATC TTC CCC ATC G-3′) (SEQ ID NO: 3) and no. 4 (5′-TTA GCA GCC GGA TCT CAG TG-3′) (SEQ ID NO: 4). After amplification PCR products that contained mutated phi29 DNA polymerase genes were re-cloned and transformed into  Escherichia coli  ER2566 cells for successive selection rounds. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Measurement of Half Life (T 1/2 ) of Phi29 DNA Polymerase Mutants 
     Increased protein thermostability was evaluated by measuring enzyme half-life (T 1/2 ) of activity at a particular temperature. A longer half-life indicated a more stable enzyme. 
     Two mutant variants of phi29 DNA polymerase were constructed. Mut_4 variant of phi DNA polymerase contains 5 mutations (M8R, V51A, M97T, G197D, E221K), these have never been characterized before. Mut_5 variant of phi29 DNA polymerase contains 8 most frequently ( FIGS. 1  and  2 ) selected amino acids replacements (M8R, V51A, M97T, G197D, E221K, Q497P, K512E, F526L). Five mutations are the same as in Mut_4 enzyme (underlined mutations). Three additionally introduced mutations are known (U.S. Publication Nos. 2010009355A1, 20100112645A1, and EP2089517A2); those are also important for improved properties of phi29 DNA polymerase. Wild-type and mutant variants of phi29 DNA polymerase were purified to more than 95% protein homogeneity using five ion-exchange chromatography stages. The thermostability of wild-type, Mut_4 and Mut_5 enzymes without and with substrate was measured at 30° C., 37° C., and 40° C. 
     In this example, the half life (T 1/2 ) of different phi29 DNA polymerases without substrate was determined using the following protocol.
         1. Prepare the following reaction mixture:       

     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 For 1 assay 
                 For 10 assays 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 10x phi29 buffer 
                  4 μl 
                  40 μl 
               
               
                 H 2 O 
                 35 μl 
                 350 μl 
               
               
                 phi29 DNA polymerase (100 ng/μl) 
                  1 μl 
                  10 μl 
               
               
                 Total 
                 40 μl 
                 400 μl 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 (10x phi29 buffer: 330 mM Tris-acetate, pH 7.9, 100 mM Mg-acetate, 660 mM K-acetate, 1%(v/v) Tween 20, 10 mM DTT) 
               
            
           
         
       
         
         
           
             2. Incubate samples at the appropriate temperature for 0 h-16 h (control samples which are incubated for 0 hours refers to 100% of activity). 
             3. After incubation, transfer samples to an ice bath and add 10 μl solution A. 
           
         
       
    
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Solution A 
                 For 1 assay 
                 For 10 assays 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 10 x phi29 buffer 
                 1 
                 μl 
                 10 
                 μl 
               
               
                 Exo-Resistant random primer (500 μM) 
                 2.5 
                 μl 
                 25 
                 μl 
               
               
                 dNTP mix (10 mM) 
                 5 
                 μl 
                 50 
                 μl 
               
               
                 dCTP- 3 H (37 μM) 
                 0.25 
                 μl 
                 2.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                 Bacteriophage M13 single stranded 
                 1.25 
                 μl 
                 12.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                 plasmid DNA (0.805 mg/ml) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Total 
                 10 
                 μl 
                 100 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
         
         
           
             4. Incubate samples at 30° C. for 10 min 
             5. Stop reaction by adding 5 μl EDTA (0.5 M) 
             6. Transfer 40 μl of reaction mixture on the DE-81 filter paper (1.5×1.5 cm). 
             7. Dry papers 
             8. Wash papers three times with 7.5% Na 2 HPO 4 ×10 H 2 O 
             9. Wash once with distilled water 
             10. Dry papers 
             11. Transfer papers into vials with scintillator and measure cpm. Residual activity is calculated using the following formula:
 
Residual activity (%)=[ cpm  (sample)− cpm  (blank)]*100%/[ cpm  (control sample)− cpm  (blank)].
 
           
         
       
    
     The half life (T 1/2 ) of different phi29 DNA polymerases with substrate was determined using the following protocol:
         1. Prepare the following reaction mixture:       

     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 For 1 assay 
                 For 10 assays 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 10 x phi29 buffer 
                 4.45 
                 μl 
                 44.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                 Bacteriophage M13 single stranded 
                 1.25 
                 μl 
                 12.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                 plasmid DNA (0.805 mg/ml) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Exo-Resistant random primer (500 μM) 
                 2.5 
                 μl 
                 25 
                 μl 
               
               
                 H 2 O 
                 35 
                 μl 
                 350 
                 μl 
               
               
                 phi29 DNA polymerase (100 ng/μl) 
                 1 
                 μl 
                 10 
                 μl 
               
               
                 Total: 
                 44.2 
                 μl 
                 442 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 (10x phi29 buffer: 330 mM Tris-acetate, pH 7.9, 100 mM Mg-acetate, 660 mM K-acetate, 1%(v/v) Tween 20, 10 mM DTT) 
               
            
           
         
       
         
         
           
             2. Incubate samples at the appropriate temperature for 0 h-16 h (Control samples which are incubated for 0 hours refers 100% activity). 
             3. After incubation transfer samples to ice bath and add 5.8 μl solution B. 
           
         
       
    
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Solution B 
                   
                 For 1 assay 
                 For 10 assays 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 10 x phi29 buffer 
                 0.55 
                 μl 
                 5.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
                 dNTP mix (10 mM) 
                 5 
                 μl 
                 50 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
                 dCTP- 3 H (37 μM) 
                 0.25 
                 μl 
                 2.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
                 Total 
                 5.8 
                 μl 
                 58 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
         
         
           
             4. Incubate samples at 30° C. for ten min. 
             5. Stop reaction by adding 5 μl of EDTA (0.5 M). 
             6. Transfer 40 μl reaction mixture on the DE-81 filter paper (1.5×1.5 cm). 
             7. Dry papers 
             8. Wash papers three times with 7.5% Na 2 HPO 4 ×10 H 2 O. 
             9. Wash once with distilled water 
             10. Dry papers 
             11. Transfer papers into vials with scintillator and measure cpm. Residual activity is calculated using the following formula:
 
Residual activity (%)=[ cpm  (sample)− cpm  (blank)]*100%/[ cpm  (control sample)− cpm  (blank)].
 
           
         
       
    
     Wild-type phi29 DNA polymerase and mutant enzymes Mut_4 and Mut_5 half-lifes (T 1/2 ) of activity were measured in the presence ( FIGS. 3D-F ) and absence of substrate ( FIGS. 3A-C ), at either 30° C. ( FIGS. 3A , D), 37° C. ( FIGS. 3B , E), or 40° C. ( FIGS. 3C , F). Wild-type phi29 DNA polymerase half-lives (T 1/2 ) of activity without substrate at 30° C. and 37° C. were 18 min and &lt;3 minutes respectively ( FIG. 3 , Table 1). 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Wild-type and mutant phi29 DNA polymerases 
               
               
                 half-life (T 1/2 ) activity without substrate 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 T 1/2  at 30° C. 
                   
                 T 1/2  at 37° C. 
                 T 1/2  at 40° C. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Wt 
                 18 
                 min 
                 &lt;3 
                 min 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 Mut_4 
                 16 
                 hr 
                 20 
                 min 
                  8 min 
               
               
                   
                 Mut_5 
                 &gt;16 
                 hr 
                 16 
                 hr 
                 15 min 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Mut_4 mutant with M8R, V51A, M97T, G197D, E221K mutations; 
               
               
                 Mut_5 mutant with M8R, V51A, M97T, G197D, E221K, Q497P, K512E, F526L mutations 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Mutant enzymes Mut_4 and Mut_5 were substantially more thermostable and lost half of their activity after 16 hours at 30° C., and after 20 minutes at 37° C. Mut_4 and Mut_5 half-lives (T 1/2 ) of activity were also measured at 40° C. and were 8 min and 15 min, respectively. Wild type enzyme at 40° C. lost activity immediately. 
     All variants of phi29 enzyme were stabilized in the complex with substrate. Wild-type phi29 DNA polymerase half-lives (T 1/2 ) of activity with substrate at 30° C. and 37° C. were 100 min and 15 minutes, respectively ( FIG. 3 , Table 2). 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Wild-type and mutant phi29 DNA polymerases 
               
               
                 half-life (T 1/2 ) activity with substrate 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 T 1/2  at 30° C. 
                   
                 T 1/2  at 37° C. 
                 T 1/2  at 40° C. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Wt 
                 100 
                 min 
                 15 
                 min 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 Mut_4 
                 &gt;16 
                 hr 
                 16 
                 hr 
                  1 hr 
               
               
                   
                 Mut_5 
                 &gt;16 
                 hr 
                 &gt;16 
                 hr 
                 16 hr 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Mut_4 mutant with M8R, V51A, M97T, G197D, E221K mutations; 
               
               
                 Mut_5 mutant with M8R, V51A, M97T, G197D, E221K, Q497P, K512E, F526L mutations 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Mutant enzymes Mut_4 and Mut_5 were even more thermostable having half-lives (T 1/2 ) of activity with substrate 16 h and more at 30-37° C., and 1 h or 16 h at 40° C. Wild type enzyme, even in a complex with substrate, lost its activity at 40° C. immediately. 
     Mut_4 mutant variant of phi29 DNA polymerase was substantially more stable compared to wild-type enzyme ( FIG. 3 , Tables 1 and 2). It was thus concluded that M8R, V51A, M97T, G197D, and E221K amino acids changes are directly involved and responsible for increased enzyme thermostability with and without substrate. 
     Mut_5 variant of phi 29 DNA polymerase was even more thermostable compared to Mut_4 phi 29 DNA polymerase ( FIG. 3 , Tables 1 and 2). It was thus concluded that additional Q497P, K512E, and F526L mutations are also important in protein thermostabilization with and without substrate. 
     Measurement of Half Life (T 1/2 ) of Phi29 DNA Polymerase Mutants Containing Single Mutations 
     Nine mutant variants containing single amino acid substitution (M8R, V51A, M97T, G197D, E221K, Q497P, K512E, E515A, F526L) were constructed. Six histidine residues (6×His) (SEQ ID NO: 5) containing tags were fused to the C terminus of wild-type and mutants of phi29 DNA polymerase. His tagged polymerases were purified to more than 95% protein homogeneity using immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. The thermostability of wild-type, and mutants without and with substrate, was measured at 30° C. and 40° C. 
     In this example, the half life (T 1/2 ) of different phi29 DNA polymerases without substrate was determined using the following protocol.
         1. Prepare the following reaction mixture:       

     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 For 1 assay 
                 For 10 assays 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 10x Tango buffer 
                  4 μl 
                  40 μl 
               
               
                 H 2 O 
                 35 μl 
                 350 μl 
               
               
                 phi29 DNA polymerase (100 ng/μl) 
                  1 μl 
                  10 μl 
               
               
                 Total 
                 40 μl 
                 400 μl 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 (10x Tango buffer: 330 mM Tris-acetate, pH 7.9, 100 mM Mg-acetate, 660 mM K-acetate 1 mg/ml BSA). 
               
            
           
         
       
         
         
           
             2. Incubate samples at 30° C. for 0-150 min (control samples which are incubated for 0 hours refers to 100% of activity). 
             3. After incubation, transfer samples to an ice bath and add 10 μl solution A. 
           
         
       
    
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Solution A 
                 For 1 assay 
                 For 10 assays 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 10 x Tango buffer 
                 1 
                 μl 
                 10 
                 μl 
               
               
                 Exo-Resistant random primer (500 μM) 
                 2.5 
                 μl 
                 25 
                 μl 
               
               
                 dNTP mix (10 mM) 
                 5 
                 μl 
                 50 
                 μl 
               
               
                 dCTP- 3 H (37 μM) 
                 0.25 
                 μl 
                 2.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                 Bacteriophage M13 single stranded 
                 1.25 
                 μl 
                 12.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                 plasmid DNA (0.805 mg/ml) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Total 
                 10 
                 μl 
                 100 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
         
         
           
             4. Incubate samples at 30° C. for 10 min 
             5. Stop reaction by adding 5 μl EDTA (0.5 M) 
             6. Transfer 40 μl of reaction mixture on the DE-81 filter paper (0.5×1.5 cm). 
             7. Dry papers 
             8. Wash papers three times with 7.5% Na 2 HPO 4 ×10 H 2 O. 
             9. Wash once with distilled water 
             10. Dry papers 
             11. Transfer papers into vials with scintillator and measure cpm. Residual activity is calculated using the following formula:
 
Residual activity (%)=[ cpm  (sample)− cpm  (blank)]*100%/[ cpm  (control sample)− cpm  (blank)].
 
           
         
       
    
     The half life (T 1/2 ) of different phi29 DNA polymerases with substrate was determined using the following protocol:
         1. Prepare the following reaction mixture:       

     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 For 1 assay 
                 For 10 assays 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 10 x Tango buffer 
                 4.45 
                 μl 
                 44.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                 Bacteriophage M13 single stranded 
                 1.25 
                 μl 
                 12.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                 plasmid DNA (0.805 mg/ml) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Exo-Resistant random primer (500 μM) 
                 2.5 
                 μl 
                 25 
                 μl 
               
               
                 H 2 O 
                 35 
                 μl 
                 350 
                 μl 
               
               
                 phi29 DNA polymerase (100 ng/μl) 
                 1 
                 μl 
                 10 
                 μl 
               
               
                 Total 
                 44.2 
                 μl 
                 442 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 (10x Tango buffer: 330 mM Tris-acetate, pH 7.9, 100 mM Mg-acetate, 660 mM K-acetate 1 mg/ml BSA). 
               
            
           
         
       
         
         
           
             2. Incubate samples at 40° C. for 0-900 min (control samples which are incubated for 0 hours refers to 100% activity). 
             3. After incubation transfer samples to ice bath and add 5.8 μl solution B. 
           
         
       
    
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Solution B 
                   
                 For 1 assay 
                 For 10 assays 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 10 x Tango buffer 
                 0.55 
                 μl 
                 5.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
                 dNTP mix (10 mM) 
                 5 
                 μl 
                 50 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
                 dCTP- 3 H (37 μM) 
                 0.25 
                 μl 
                 2.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
                 Total 
                 5.8 
                 μl 
                 58 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
         
         
           
             4. Incubate samples at 30° C. for 10 min. 
             5. Stop reaction by adding 5 μl of EDTA (0.5 M). 
             6. Transfer 40 μl reaction mixture on the DE-81 filter paper (1.5×1.5 cm). 
             7. Dry papers 
             8. Wash papers three times with 7.5% Na 2 HPO 4 ×10 H 2 O. 
             9. Wash once with distilled water 
             10. Dry papers 
             11. Transfer papers into vials with scintillator and measure cpm. Residual activity is calculated using the following formula:
 
Residual activity (%)=[ cpm  (sample)− cpm  (blank)]*100%/[ cpm  (control sample)− cpm  (blank)].
 
           
         
       
    
     Wild-type phi29 DNA polymerase and mutant enzymes (containing single mutations) half-lives (T 1/2 ) of activity were measured in the presence ( FIG. 4B ) and absence ( FIG. 4A ) of substrate. Wild-type phi29 DNA polymerase half-lives (T 1/2 ) of activity without substrate at 30° C. were 18 min ( FIG. 4A , Table 3). Eight mutant enzymes containing single mutations (M8R, V51A, M97T, G197D, E221K, Q497P, E515A, F526L) were more thermostable and lose half their activity at 30° C. after 26, 26, 38, 40, 65, 58, 52, 48 min respectively ( FIG. 4A , Table 3). 
                     TABLE 3                  Wild-type and phi29 DNA polymerase mutants half-       life (T 1/2 ) activity with and without substrate                             T 1/2  (min) without   T 1/2  (min) with           substrate, measured at   substrate, measured at           30° C. (+/−1 SD)   40° C. (+/−1 SD)                                             Wild-type   18 (2.8)   37   (2.9)           M8R   26 (2.2)   195   (3)           V51A   26 (4.1)   90   (5.5)           M97T   38 (4.3)   22   (5.7)           G197D   40 (2.7)   400   (2.8)           E221K   65 (5.1)   58   (1.9)           Q497P   58 (3.9)   145   (3.3)           K512E   18 (2.5)   37   (1.2)           E515A   52 (2.8)   220   (2.7)           F526L   48 (2.1)   120   (5.1)                    
All variants of phi29 enzyme are stabilized in the complex with substrate, therefore half-lives (T 1/2 ) of activity could be measured at 40° C. Wild-type phi29 DNA polymerase half-lives (T 1/2 ) of activity with substrate at 40° C. were 37 min ( FIG. 4B , Table 3). Seven mutant enzymes containing single mutations M8R, V51A, G197D, E221K, Q497P, E515A, F526L were more thermostable having half-lives (T 1/2 ) of activity with substrate 195, 90, 400, 58, 145, 220, 120 min respectively ( FIG. 4B , Table 3).
 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     Measurement of MDA Reaction Efficiency at Elevated Temperatures 
     Multiple displacement amplification (MDA) reaction efficiency was measured at different temperatures. Generation of more MDA product indicates more efficient amplification. 
     In this example MDA reaction efficiency of different phi29 DNA polymerases was evaluated using the following protocol:
         1. Prepare the following MDA reaction mixture:       

     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 For 1 assay 
                 For 10 assays 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 10x phi29 buffer 
                 10 μl  
                 100 μl  
               
               
                 10 mM dNTP Mix 
                 10 μl  
                 100 μl  
               
               
                 Exo-Resistant random primer 
                 5 μl 
                 50 μl 
               
               
                 (500 μM) 
                   
                   
               
               
                 pUC19 plasmid DNA (10 ng/μl) 
                 1 μl 
                 10 μl 
               
               
                 phi29 DNA polymerase (100 ng/μl) 
                 1 μl 
                 10 μl 
               
               
                 H 2 O 
                 to 100 μl 
                 To 1000 μl 
               
               
                 Total 
                 100 μl  
                 1000 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 (10x phi29 buffer: 330 mM Tris-acetate, pH 7.9, 100 mM Mg-acetate, 660 mM K-acetate, 1%(v/v) Tween 20, 10 mM DTT) 
               
            
           
         
       
         
         
           
             2. Incubate samples at temperatures of 30° C., 37° C., 42° C., 45° C. for 0.5, 1 and 2 hours then stop the reaction by incubating 15 min at 75° C. Subsequently MDA products are linearized by adding 2 μl restriction endonuclease FD AlwNI (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and incubating for 3 hours at 37° C. and for 10 min at 70° C. 
             3. To evaluate amplification folds of pUC19 plasmid, MDA products were analyzed by qPCR. The qPCR reaction mixture was prepared as follows: 
           
         
       
    
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 For 1 
                 For 10 
               
               
                   
                   
                 assay 
                 assays 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Maxima SYBR Green qPCR 
                 12.5 
                 μl 
                 125 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
                 Master Mix (2X) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Direct primer 
                 0.75 
                 μl 
                 7.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
                 5′-GTTGGGAAGGGCGATCG-3′ 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 (SEQ ID NO: 6) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Reverse primer  
                 0.75 
                 μl 
                 7.5 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
                 5′-ACTTTATGCTTCCGGCTCGTA-3′ 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 (SEQ ID NO: 7) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 H 2 O 
                 6 
                 μl 
                 60 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 MDA product diluted with 
                 5 
                 μl 
                 — 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 TE buffer 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Total 
                 25 
                 μl 
                 200 
                 μl 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Amplification folds of pUC19 plasmid were calculated using the following formula: 
               
               
                 Amplification folds = pUC19 copy number after MDA/pUC19 copy number before MDA 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     MDA reaction at different temperatures was performed using wild-type phi29 DNA polymerase ( FIG. 5A ) and mutant enzymes Mut_4 ( FIG. 5B ) and Mut_5 ( FIG. 5C ). Amplification folds of pUC19 plasmid used as a substrate in MDA reaction were evaluated by qPCR after 0.5, 1 and 2 hours of MDA reaction performed at different temperatures. The results indicated that MDA reaction driven by wild-type phi29 DNA polymerase was more efficient at 30° C. compared to 37° C. ( FIG. 5A , Table 4). Mutant enzymes Mut_4 and Mut_5 were able to perform MDA reaction at 37° C., 42° C., and 45° C. ( FIG. 5B ,C, Table 4), Accumulation of MDA product was about two fold higher using Mut_4 at 37° C. and Mut_5 at 42° C. compared to wild-type enzyme at 30° C. (optimal temperature) ( FIG. 5 , Table 4). This example showed that mutant phi29 DNA polymerases having more stable protein structure were more stable in the reaction mixture, could work at increased temperatures (37° C.-45° C.), and could generate more amplification product compared to wild-type enzyme. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparison of MDA efficiency between wild-type and 
               
               
                 mutant variants of phi29 DNA polymerase. Amplification 
               
               
                 folds of pUC19 plasmid were determined by QPCR. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 Prototype of 
                   
               
               
                 polymerase (reaction 
                 MDA reaction duration (hrs) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 temperature) 
                 0.5 
                 1 
                 2 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 WT (30° C.) 
                 49 
                 (12) 
                 509 
                 (277) 
                 988 
                 (290) 
               
               
                 WT (37° C.) 
                 25 
                 (19) 
                 131 
                 (10) 
                 241 
                 (113) 
               
               
                 Mut_4 (37° C.) 
                 77 
                 (30) 
                 425 
                 (98) 
                 1754 
                 (343) 
               
               
                 Mut_4 (42° C.) 
                 117 
                 (74) 
                 288 
                 (108) 
                 786 
                 (386) 
               
               
                 Mut_5 (42° C.) 
                 248 
                 (91) 
                 1099 
                 (317) 
                 2585 
                 (249) 
               
               
                 Mut_5 (45° C.) 
                 257 
                 (79) 
                 772 
                 (213) 
                 1537 
                 (416) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     EXAMPLE 4 
     Unbiased Whole Genome Amplification 
     Whole genome amplification (WGA) bias was evaluated by sequencing WGA products obtained using wild-type phi29 DNA polymerase and mutant enzymes Mut_4 and Mut_5. The following scheme was performed:
         1. About 20 ng of  E. coli /JM109 strain gDNA was amplified using wild-type and mutant enzymes Mut_4 and Mut_5. WGA reactions were performed at 30° C., 37° C. and 42° C. for 8 hr, 4 hr, and 3 hr using wild type, Mut_4 and Mut_5 mutant enzymes respectively. Typically as a result of WGA reaction 35 μg-55 μg of DNA were synthesized.   2. DNA synthesized in WGA reaction was sonicated to obtain fragments of an optimal length (300 bp-400 bp). Shared DNA fragments ends were repaired and Illumina sequencing adaptors were ligated using ClaSeek Library Preparation Kit (Thermo Scientific) protocol A. Before bridge amplification and subsequent sequencing reaction DNA fragments were purified using AgenCourt magnetic beads and size selection protocol.   3. Generated NGS libraries were quantified using Kapa Biosystem Library Quantification Kit and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform. Sequencing kit v2 2×150 bp (paired-end) and resequencing protocol was used. Sequences were aligned against  E. coli  K12 strain genomic DNA. A total of 13.8M reads were generated with 94.5 percent of bases called with Q30 and above.       

     As a “gold standard” for unbiased amplification, reference  E. coli  genome that was not amplified was sequenced (PCR-free NGS library). Sequenced genome coverage data of unamplified  E. coli  genome (“gold standard”) and WGA amplified genomes were compared. The coverage evenness graph shown in  FIG. 6  demonstrated what coverage average (normalized to 1, X axis) is characteristic for a particular part of genome (Y axis), where coverage evenness (E) shows which part of affected bases is similar to coverage average (1.0). In this example, ˜80% of targeted regions of PCR-free gDNA were covered with &gt;0.8 of average coverage and ˜20% of reads had &gt;1.2 of average coverage. Coverage evenness number was calculated as described by Mokry et al. 2010. The closer the value is to 1 the better coverage evenness. Sequencing coverage evenness value for WGA amplified DNA library generated using wild type phi29 DNA polymerase was 0.39; E values for Mut_4 and Mut_5 amplified libraries were 0.70 and 0.76, respectively ( E - coli -gDNA E=0.91 (non amplified  E. coli  gDNA), WI E=0.39(0.04) (WGA product that was amplified at standard conditions using wild-type phi29 DNA polymerase), Mut_5 E=0.76(0.01) (WGA product that was amplified at 42° C. using mutant polymerase), Mut_4 E=0.70(0.02) (WGA product that was amplified at 37° C. using mutant polymerase). 
     CG percentage in 100 bp fragments of reads&#39; sequences was calculated for all four sequencing runs ( FIG. 7 ).  FIG. 7  depicts the percent of fragments of 100 bp length and CG content in reads. The WGA library that was prepared using wild type enzyme contains more fragments with lower CG content and less percent of fragments with higher CG content. NGS library amplified with wild type phi29 DNA polymerase had a light shift of CG percentage peak to lower CG content. CG percentage peak shift of NGS library amplified by Mut_4 enzyme was smaller compared to wt phi29 polymerase. CG percentage peak of NGS library amplified by Mut_5 enzyme was almost identical to unamplified  E. coli  gDNA data ( FIG. 7 ). It is very likely that wild type enzyme which performed WGA reaction at 30° C. tends to amplify genome regions with lower CG content. The CG amplification bias could be significantly decreased performing WGA with Mut_4 and Mut_5 polymerases at 37° C. and 42° C. respectively. Reduced amplification bias should also result in decrease of allele dropout (ADO) effect. 
     EXAMPLE 5 
     DNA Binding Assay of Phi29 Polymerase Mutants 
     Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was performed using as substrate labeled hybrid 15-mer/21-mer DNA molecule to determine whether novel mutations of phi29 DNA polymerase enhanced enzyme binding to DNA. Oligonucleotide 15-mer (5-GATCACAGTGAGTAC-3′) (SEQ ID NO: 8) was 5′-labeled with [γ- 32 P] ATP using T4 polynucleotide kinase and hybridized with 21-mer (5′-TCTATTGTACTCACTGTGATC-3′) (SEQ ID NO: 9) in the presence of 0.2 M NaCl and 60 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5 (De Vega, M. et al. 2010). The resulting 5′-labeled 15-mer/21-mer hybrid molecule was used as DNA primer/template to analyze the interaction with either wild-type phi29 or mutant enzymes containing single or multiple mutations. The incubation mixture contained, in a final volume of 20 μl, 33 mM Tris-acetate pH 7.9, 66 mM potassium acetate, 10% glycerol, 0.1 mg/ml BSA, 2 pM of the labeled 15-mer/21-mer DNA/DNA substrate, and increasing amounts of the corresponding enzyme (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 300, 600 pM). After incubation for five min at 30° C., samples were subjected to electrophoresis in 10% (w/v) polyacrylamide gels (29:1, acrylamide:bisacrylamide) containing 40 mM Tris-acetate pH 8.4, 1 mM EDTA (1×TAE buffer). Electrophoresis was performed in the same 1×TAE buffer at room temperature for two hours at about 8-9 V/cm. The EMSA gels were analyzed by Typhoon Trio and OptiQuant™ Image Analysis Software. Enzyme-oligonucleotide complex Kd values were calculated by GraphPad Prism version 4.03 software using the equation: [DNA-E]=([DNA o ]+[E o ]+K d −(([DNA o ]+[E o ]+K d ) 2 −4[DNA o ][E o ] 0.5 )/2; where [DNA-E]—is enzyme oligonucleotide complex concentration, [DNA o ]—total oligonucleotide concentration (2 pM), [E o ]—total enzyme concentration. 
       FIG. 8  shows a representative EMSA of wt, Mu_4 and Mut_5 enzyme binding to DNA. The 5′-labeled hybrid molecule 15mer/21mer (dsDNA) was incubated with phi29 DNA polymerase or with the mutant DNA polymerase. After gel electrophoresis, the mobility of free dsDNA and the polymerase-DNA complex was detected by autoradiography.  FIG. 8  is representative of several experiments (experiments with mutants containing single mutations not shown). All the numerical values of dissociation constant determined by EMSA assay are summarized in Table 5. 
                     TABLE 5                  Dissociation constants (Kd) of phi29 DNA polymerase mutants                                 Kd (SD)       Kd (SD)                                                 WT   76   (5.7)   Q497P   73 (50.2)           M8R   43   (2.1)   K512E   54 (27.6)           V51A   52   (10.8)   E515A   97 (56.5)           M97T   37   (2.5)   F526L   53 (24.2)           G197D   51   (25.7)   Mut_4   67 (10.6)           E221K   67   (18.4)   Mut_5   23 (7.4)                     
Mutant enzymes exhibited improved DNA binding (lower Kd), requiring about twofold or threefold lower enzyme concentration compared to the wild-type polymerase to generate similar amount of DNA protein complex. Dissociation constant (Kd) values of some mutants containing single mutations (M8R, V51A, M97T) as well as Mut_5 polymerase were lower than wild-type phi29 DNA polymerase (Table 5). De Vega et al. 2010 showed that phi29 DNA polymerase with additional DNA binding domain has increased affinity to substrate, and subsequently other enzyme features as processivity and amplification yield were also improved. As the disclosed phi29 DNA polymerase mutants also possess increased affinity to substrate, it was reasonable to expect that such mutants will show improvements in other important characteristics of this enzyme.
 
     Each of the following references is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
         1. Akeson et al. (2010) Processive Replication of single DNA molecules in a nanopore catalyzed by phi29 DNA polymerase.  J. Am. Chem. Soc . Vol. 132 No. 50 pp. 17961-17972   2. Alsmadi et al. (2009) Specific and complete human genome amplification with improved yield achieved by phi29 DNA polymerase and a novel primer at elevated temperature. BMC Research Notes. 2:48.   3. Blanco et al. (1989) Highly efficient DNA synthesis by phage phi29 DNA polymerase. Symmetrical mode of DNA replication.  J Biol Chem . Vol. 264, No. 15, pp. 8935-8940   4. Bernad et al. (1987) Structural and functional relationships between prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA polymerases.  EMBO J . Vol. 6, No. 13, pp. 4219-4225.   5. Berman et al. (2007) Structures of phi29 DNA polymerase complexed with substrate: the mechanism of translocation in B-family polymerase.  EMBO J . Vol. 26, No. 14, pp. 3494-3505, ISSN 0261-4189 (Print).   6. Dufour et al. (2000) An aspartic acid residue in TPR-1, a specific region of protein-priming DNA polymerase, is required for the functional interaction with primer terminal protein.  J Mol Biol . Vol 304, No. 3, pp. 289-300   7. Esteban et al. (1993) Fidelity of phi29 DNA polymerase. Comparison between protein-primed initiation and DNA polymerization. J Biol Chem. Vol. 268, No. 4, pp. 2719-2726.   8. Esteban et al. (1994) 3′-5′ exonuclease active site of phi29 DNA polymerase. Evidence favoring a metal ion-assisted reaction mechanism.  J Biol Chem . Vol. 269, No. 50, pp. 31946-31954   9. Ghadessy et al. (2001) Directed evolution of polymerase function by compartmentalized self-replication Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 98, 4552-4557.   10. Hutchison et al. (2005) Cell-free cloning using phi29 DNA polymerase. PNAS. Vol. 102, No. 48, pp. 17332-17336.   11. Johne et al. (2009) Rolling-circle amplification of viral DNA genomes using phi29 polymerase. Trends in Microbiology. Vol 17, No 5, pp. 205-211.   12. Kamtekar et al. (2004) Insights into strand displacement and processivity from the crystal structure of the protein-primed DNA polymerase of bacteriophage phi29. Mol Cell. Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 609-618   13. Lagunavicius et al. (2010) Direct detection of RNA in vitro and in situ by target-primed RCA: The impact of  E. coli  RNase III on the detection efficiency of RNA sequences distanced far from the 3′-end. RNA. Vol. (16) No. 8 pp. 1508-1515   14. Lasken et al. (2003) Unbiased whole-genome amplification directly from clinical samples. Genome Research. Vol. 13 pp. 954-964   15. Lizardi et al. (1998) Mutation detection and single-molecule counting using isothermal rolling-circle amplification. Nat Genet, 19, 225-232   16. De Vega et al. (2010) Improvement of phi29 DNA polymerase amplification by fusion of DNA binding motifs.  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A . Vol. 107, No. 38, pp. 16506-16511.   17. Mokry et al. (2010) Accurate SNP and mutation detection by targeted custom microarray-based genomic enrichment of short-fragment sequencing libraries.  Nucleic Acids Res . Vol. 38, No. 10, pp. e116.   18. Rodriguez et al. (2005) A specific subdomain in phi29 DNA polymerase confers both processivity and strand-displacement capacity.  Proc Natl Acad Sci USA . Vol. 102, No. 18, pp. 6407-6412   19. Salas and de Vega (2006) Bacteriophage protein-primed DNA replication. In Recent advances in DNA virus replication. Hefferon, K. L., pp. 259-288, Research Signpost, ISBN 81-3080042-X, Kerala (India)   20. Simmel et al. (2005) Periodic DNA Nanotemplates Synthesized by Rolling Circle Amplification.  Nano Letters.  4, -pp. 719-722   21. Weissman et al. (2008) A procedure for highly specific, sensitive, and unbiased whole-genome amplification. PNAS. Vol. 105 No. 40 pp. 15499-15504       

     The embodiments described in the specification are only specific embodiments of the inventors who are skilled in the art and are not limiting. Therefore, various changes, modifications, or alterations to those embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims. 
     This application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The ASCII copy, created on Dec. 19, 2013, is named 077792.43_SL.txt and is 156,299 bytes in size.