Restriction Enzymes

Promega supplies high-quality, performance-tested restriction endonucleases for restriction digest and cloning needs. Choose from a large catalog of restriction enzymes, including a subset of enzymes that are capable of rapid digestion of DNA in 15 minutes or less. 

MULTI-CORE™ Buffer is Promega’s universal restriction enzyme buffer, making multiple-enzyme digestions simple. Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) is also available for increasing enzyme stability or for use as a carrier protein.

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Introduction to Restriction Enzymes

Restriction enzymes (Restriction Endonucleases) recognize specific, short DNA sequences called recognition sequences, or restriction sites. Restriction enzymes cleave double-stranded DNA within or adjacent to these specific sequences. A map of a DNA sequence showing the restriction sites present in that sequence is referred to as a restriction map. Restriction maps are invaluable for cloning, DNA typing, and any other experiment making use of restriction enzymes.

Each restriction enzyme has reaction conditions in which it works the best. These conditions include length and temperature of incubation. Restriction enzymes are typically sold with buffers in which they have optimal activity. Using the correct reaction conditions and incubating for the proper length of time are important to prevent star activity in some enzymes. Star activity is when an enzyme begins to be less specific about the sites it cleaves. Enzyme inactivation after digestion can also help prevent star activity.

Two (or more) restriction enzymes may recognize the same sequence. These are called isoschizomers. Isoschizomers have the same recognition site but may not have the same cut site. Isoschizomers offer flexibility of enzyme choice in situations where multiple enzymes are needed but do not have compatible buffers or reaction conditions.