Restriction enzyme, also called restriction endonuclease, a protein produced by bacteria that cleaves DNA at specific sites along the molecule. ... In the bacterial cell, restriction enzymes cleave foreign DNA, thus eliminating infecting organisms.
Restriction enzymes have two properties useful in recombinant DNA technology. First, they cut DNA into fragments of a size suitable for cloning. Second, many restriction enzymes make staggered cuts that create single-stranded sticky ends conducive to the formation of recombinant DNA.
RELATED Questions
What are examples of restriction enzymes?
SmaI is an example of a restriction enzyme that cuts straight through the DNA strands, creating DNA fragments with a flat or blunt end. Other restriction enzymes, like EcoRI, cut through the DNA strands at nucleotides that are not exactly opposite each other.
Which enzyme is used to cut the DNA?
Restriction enzymes
Restriction enzymes, found naturally in bacteria, can be used to cut DNA fragments at specific sequences, while another enzyme, DNA ligase, can attach or rejoin DNA fragments with complementary ends.
