Question

Describe the general features of restriction enzyme sites

Answer 1

General features of restriction enzyme sites

1. Restriction sites are also called restriction recognition sites
2. Restriction sites are 4-8 base pairs in length
3. These sites are very specific (Eg  EcoRI cut at GAATTC)
4. Generally restriction sites are palindromic
5. The cut by restriction enzyme may occur within the recognition site or near to the recognition site
6. Restriction enzymes may produce sticky ends (easily to ligate) or blunt ends (difficult to rejoin)
7. Type I restriction enzymes cleave at a remote place from the recognition site
8. Type II restriction enzymes cleave at fixed sequence. These are able to produce reproducible restriction fragments
9. Restriction enzymes are part of bacterial defense mechanism against foreign DNA
10. Restriction enzymes are very useful in molecular cloning