Restriction enzyme

Definition
noun, plural: restriction enzymes
An enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of DNA at restriction sites, producing small fragments used for gene splicing in recombinant DNA technology and for chromosome mapping.
Supplement
These enzymes are normally produced in bacteria and archaea as a defense mechanism against foreign DNA, especially of bacteriophages. The enzymes can be classified into Types I, II and III according to their mechanism of action.
The enzymes are named after the bacteria from where they are derived, i.e. the bacterial genus, species, strain and the order of identification. For instance, Eco RI is a restriction enzyme isolated from the bacteria: Escherichia (genus) coli (species) R (RY13 strain) I (first identified).
Also called: restriction endonuclease
Related term:

• Ecori restriction enzyme

• Restriction enzyme (ri STRIK shuhn EN ziem) – an enzyme that cuts double-stranded DNA into fragments by recognizing specific nucleotide sequences and cutting the DNA at those sequences.