restriction enzyme

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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.

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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, restrictionism, restriction play, restriction site

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use restriction enzyme in a sentence

The host DNA is sliced open, the plasmid is inserted in the gap, and ligases repair the cut made by the restriction enzymes.
E. coli isn’t always bad—it’s actually an unlikely research hero|Erin Fennessy|September 27, 2021|Popular-Science
One hypothesis is that replacing A with Z is a countermeasure against bacterial defense enzymes, known as restriction enzymes, that chop up DNA from invading phages.
Some viruses thwart bacterial defenses with a unique genetic alphabet|Tina Hesman Saey|May 5, 2021|Science News
Women also make less of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, which breaks down alcohol before it hits the bloodstream.
Elizabeth Peña and the Truth About Alcoholic Women|Gabrielle Glaser|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The restriction came as a shock to Jarrar, who frequently travels to his many international exhibitions.
The Palestinian Artist Trapped in the West Bank: ‘Every Minute, for Me, Was Like a Knife in My Heart.’|Justin Jones|July 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Caloric restriction has also been shown to have an effect on thyroid hormones, specifically T3.
When Is It OK to Cheat? The Pros and Cons of Cheat Days|DailyBurn|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The restriction on the use of hands (decried by some soccer-objectors, including myself until we beat Ghana) is sensible.
Up To a Point: Oops, I Enjoyed Soccer|P. J. O’Rourke|July 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The hardest condition to live with for Bartiromo was the Internet restriction.
He Bullies Kids and Calls It News|Brandy Zadrozny|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Their present restriction and partial extermination have been due to the incursions of the warlike Malays.
Man And His Ancestor|Charles Morris
In the colony of British Guiana there had been an old law, which permitted the importation of labourers without restriction.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
Are not all these promises given in a general way, without restriction as to time, place, or persons?
Superstition In All Ages (1732)|Jean Meslier
There is either no restriction, or none that Ptolemy thought worth mentioning, in the choice of the key and species.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro
From the middle of the 17th century their trade was not free, but this was the only restriction from which they suffered.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012