Reaction: Endonucleolytic cleavage of DNA to give specific double-stranded fragments with terminal 5'-phosphates
Other name(s): type II restriction enzyme
Comments: This is a large group of enzymes which, together with those now listed as EC 3.1.21.3 (type 1 site-specific deoxyribonuclease) and EC 3.1.21.5 (type III site-specific deoxyribonuclease), were previously listed separately in sub-subclasses 3.1.23 and 3.1.24. They require only Mg2+. They recognize specific short DNA sequences and cleave either within, or at a short specific distance from, the recognition site. A complete listing of all of these enzymes has been produced by R.J. Roberts and is available at http://rebase.neb.com/rebase/rebase.html.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, Metacyc, PDB, CAS registry number: 9075-08-5 (not distinguished from EC 3.1.21.5)
References:
1. Roberts, R.J. Restriction enzymes and their isoschizomers. Nucleic Acids Res. 18 (1990) 2331-2365. [PMID: 2159140]