Restriction endonucleus?

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Restriction endonucleus?

Restriction endonucleases are naturally made in certain organisms. What is their purpose?

2007-11-05 06:12:26 · 2 answers · asked by damigurl05 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology

2 answers

Bacteria make them.

They are part of a defense system that protects them from foreign DNA, such as bacteriophages (viruses of bacteria). Bacteria express specific restriction endonucleases that do not cut their own DNA (due to lack of recognition site or DNA methylation).

Foreign DNAs are usually susceptible to digestion and the bacteria can simply cut it up so that they won't harm it.

2007-11-05 07:52:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋

They are naturally made in bacteria. Their purpose is to restrict sexual reproduction between strains of bacteria.

2007-11-05 15:02:15 · answer #2 · answered by Cathy T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋