the isolated enzyme has no intrinsic helicase activity, but may carry out an equivalent function by way of its strong binding to single stranded dna, particularly in preference to double stranded nucleic acid. this is the property of this enzyme that makes is favorably applicable to multiple displacement amplification. the enzyme facilitates the "debranching" of double stranded dna. deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate cleavage that occurs as part of the polymerisation process probably supplies the energy required for this unwinding mechanism. the continuous nature of strand synthesis (compared to the asymmetric synthesis seen in other organisms) probably contributes to this enhanced processivity.