Nate Lisbin Period 2 3/9/12 Ap Biology Restriction Enzymes

Summary on Restriction Enzymes BamHI, HindIII, and EcoRI

BamHI BamHI is a specific type of restriction enzyme that is derived from the organism Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. It leaves sticky ends for other DNA molecules to be attached on by enzyme ligase. It was one of the earlier restriction enzymes in history and is compatible with many others too. Unfortunately, there are many issues with attempting to clone this enzyme. Therefore, many engineered variants have been made to substitute for this enzyme. HindIII HindIII is a specific type II deoxyribonucleic restriction enzyme derived form Haemophilus influenzae. The enzyme leaves sticky ends in the presence of the cofactor Mg2+ through hydrolysis. The structure of HindIII is believed to be complex consisting of 4 beta sheet and a single alpha helix. It is held together by hydrogen and Van der Waals bonds. These restriction enzymes are very useful in cutting and pasting different DNA sequences that cane be used for genetic mapping and other gene related actions. EcoRI EcoRI is a restriction enzyme derived from E. coli and is part of the restriction modification system. This enzyme creates sticky ends with 5 ends overhangs. EcoRI is used extensively in cloning, DNA screening, and deleting portions of DNA like vitro. This enzyme can do something known as star activity. Star activity is basically just non sitespecific cutting depending of the reactions condition. Conditions such as low salt concentration, high glycerol concentration, high pH, contamination, and excessive amounts of enzymes can all cause star activity in EcoRI. Like most restriction enzymes it cuts sticky ends and lets ligase place the DNA back together.