Abstract:One of the ways biologists begin to analyze a long sequence of DNA is to develop a restriction site map. Restriction sites are the locations at which the sequence is cut by enzymes known as restrictio...One of the ways biologists begin to analyze a long sequence of DNA is to develop a restriction site map. Restriction sites are the locations at which the sequence is cut by enzymes known as restriction enzymes – or, more precisely, restriction endonucleases. Restriction enzymes are found in bacteria, where they provide some protection against viral invasion by destroying viral DNA. Each bears a name such as EcoRI and HindIV, derived from the bacterium in which it was discovered. Each restriction enzyme can cut DNA at any location containing a specific short sequence. Examples of some commonly used restriction enzymes and the sequences they cut are given in Figure 16.1. The sequence is typically a palindrome of even length. In most cases, the enzyme cuts the double strand unevenly so that a small group of unpaired nucleotides – a sticky end – remains on both sides of the cut. In nature, this feature may facilitate further degradation of the invading DNA by other enzymes; in the laboratory, it is often used to “cut and paste” new sequences into DNA at known locations.Read More
Publication Year: 2002
Publication Date: 2002-12-16
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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