restriction enzyme

noun Biochemistry.

any of a group of enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of DNA molecules at specific sites: used for gene splicing in recombinant DNA technology and for chromosome mapping.

Origin of restriction enzyme

First recorded in 1960–65

Words nearby restriction enzyme

restricted class, restricted code, restricted stock, restricted users group, restriction, restriction enzyme, restriction enzymes, restriction fragment, restriction fragment length polymorphism, restriction play, restriction site

British Dictionary definitions for restriction enzymes

restriction enzyme

noun

any of several enzymes produced by bacteria as a defence against viral infection and commonly used to cut DNA for genetic manipulation or diagnosis

Medical definitions for restriction enzymes

restriction enzyme
[ rĭ-strĭk′shən ]

n.

Any of a group of enzymes that cleave DNA at specific sites to produce discrete fragments, used especially in gene-splicing. restriction endonuclease

Cultural definitions for restriction enzymes

restriction enzymes

Chemicals used in the lab to cut up DNA at specific sites so that it may be sequenced. They function in nature as a form of bacterial self-protection that can cut up foreign DNA. The use of restriction enzymes is crucial in DNA fingerprinting.