What is the difference between Platinum technology and AccuPrime technology?
With Platinum technology, anti-DNA polymerase antibodies bind to the enzyme until the denaturing step at 94 degrees C, when the antibodies degrade. The polymerase is now active and primer extension can occur. AccuPrime Taq combines Platinum Taq (Taq + Platinum antibodies) with proprietary thermostable AccuPrime accessory proteins. The 10X reaction buffer contains the accessory proteins which enhance specific primer-template hybridization during each cycle of PCR.
Can I use MgCl2 instead of MgSO4 with Platinum Taq High Fidelity enzyme?
We strongly suggest using MgSO4. While MgCl2 may work in some cases, MgSO4 usually produces more robust and reproducible products, as sulfate is the best anion found for the Platinum Taq High Fidelity enzyme.
If I do PCR using the Platinum PCR SuperMix High Fidelity, can I use DNA-RNA chimeric oligos such as 5'-AGGCTTggau (lower case letters for RNA bases)?
PCR cannot be performed with an RNA oligo. RNA is not heat stable so the RNA part of the oligo will be degraded. In the presence of Mg++ (PCR buffer contains usually 1-2 mM Mg++) the rate of degradation is much faster.