EcoRI

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EcoRI recognition site
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EcoRI recognition site
EcoRI
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EcoRI

EcoRI (pronounced "eco R one") is a nuclease enzyme isolated from certain strains of E. coli,

In molecular biology, it is a commonly used restriction enzyme. It creates sticky ends with 5' end overhangs. The nucleic acid sequence where the enzyme cuts is G|AATTC, which is a palindrome as the complementary sequence is CTTAA|G.

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[edit] Structure

EcoRI has been cocrystallized with the sequence it normally cuts. This crystal was used to solve the structure [[1]] of the complex.

[edit] Mode of action

Like EcoRV, EcoRI forms a homodimer in solution before binding and acting on its recognition sequence.

[edit] Uses

EcoRI is often used to cut open a plasmid vector to insert a gene-of-interest during gene cloning. EcoRI is prone to exhibit star activity if an excess of salts are present during the digestion.


[edit] See also

  • EcoRV, another nuclease enzyme from 'E. coli.
  • FokI, another nuclease enzyme from Flavobacterium okeanokoites

[edit] References

  • Bitinaite, J., D. A. Wah, Aggarwal, A. K., Schildkraut, I. (1998). "FokI dimerization is required for DNA cleavage." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 95(18): 10570-5.
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