QuantiTect Probe RT-PCR Kit

The QuantiTect Probe RT-PCR Kit has a unique RT-PCR buffer that promotes highly specific annealing of primers and probes to the PCR template. It contains HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase, which provides the most stringent hot start compared with other polymerases (see figure "Highly specific amplification").

HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase and the unique composition of the RT-PCR buffer enable the QuantiTect Probe RT-PCR Kit to provide sensitive quantification of low-copy RNA targets, as well as accurate quantification over a wide linear range (see figure "High sensitivity and efficiency, and wide dynamic range"). Performing reverse transcription and PCR sequentially in the same tube does not impair sensitivity, as demonstrated by C_T values that are comparable to those achieved in real-time two-step RT-PCR (see figures "One-step RT-PCR with comparable performance to two-step RT-PCR — A" and "One-step RT-PCR with comparable performance to two-step RT-PCR — B", and table).

QuantiTect Probe RT-PCR Kits contain an optimized, ready-to-use master mix for highly specific and sensitive real-time quantification of RNA targets using sequence-specific probes. The kits are designed for use with all types of sequence-specific probes, including hydrolysis probes (e.g., TaqMan® and other dual-labeled probes), FRET probes, and Molecular Beacons. QuantiTect Probe RT-PCR Kits contain a unique PCR buffer that contains a balanced combination of K⁺ and NH₄⁺ ions, which promote specific primer annealing, enabling high PCR specificity and sensitivity (see figure "Specific primer annealing"). In addition, an optimized mix of reverse transcriptases enables cDNA synthesis from a wide range of RNA template amounts, while HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase provides a stringent hot start, preventing the formation of nonspecific products.

QuantiTect Probe RT-PCR Master Mix also contains dUTP, enabling pretreatment with uracil-N-glycosylase (UNG) prior to starting PCR, which ensures that any contaminating PCR products do not affect subsequent PCR reactions.

The QuantiTect Probe RT-PCR Kit overcomes the need for optimization of reaction conditions, which can be tedious and time-consuming. Simply add primers, probe, and RNA template to the ready-to-use RT-PCR master mix, and start the reaction (see flowchart "One-step RT-PCR"). Follow the protocol in the handbook to get fast and reliable results on any real-time cycler. If required, reactions can be pretreated with uracil-N-glycosylase (UNG) to eliminate carryover of PCR products from previous reactions. 

QuantiTect Probe RT-PCR Kits can be used for gene expression analysis of RNA targets on any real-time cycler. This includes instruments from Applied Biosystems, Bio-Rad, Cepheid, Eppendorf, Roche, and Agilent. For the Rotor-Gene Q and other Rotor-Gene cyclers, we recommend using the Rotor-Gene Probe RT-PCR Kit, which has been specially developed for fast cycling on these instruments.