Restriction enzymes are specialized proteins produced by bacteria that cut DNA at specific nucleotide sequences. Also known as restriction endonucleases, they function as part of a bacterial defense system against invading viruses by recognizing and cleaving foreign DNA. Each restriction enzyme targets a particular DNA sequence, often called a recognition site, producing predictable DNA fragments. In biotechnology and molecular biology, restriction enzymes are widely used for DNA analysis, genetic engineering, cloning, and the creation of recombinant DNA because they allow scientists to cut and manipulate DNA with precision.
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