Patent attributes
The present disclosure provide novel variants of T7 RNA polymerase. Embodiments of T7 variants, according to the instant invention, include a Cysteine-Serine substitution on position 723 of the amino acid sequence of the T7 polypeptide. Embodiments of T7 variants according to the instant invention have a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzymatic activity and a reduced tendency to form intramolecular homodimers by way of oxidizing thiol groups. The amino acid substitutions within the T7 variants disclosed herein impact minimally, if at all, the RNA polymerase activity of the T7 polypeptide. Further, the mutations of the disclosed embodiments may optionally be combined with mutations which provide enhanced thermostability compared to the wild-type reference.