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
British Dictionary definitions for restriction enzyme
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 enzyme
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