BSA and Restriction Enzyme Digestions

Recently we have developed performance assays comparing the effect of the addition of acetylated bovine serum albumin (BSA) to restriction enzyme digestions. We compared the effects of adding BSA to restriction enzyme digests performed using enzymes from several different suppliers, and using DNA purified using two different techniques. We have also examined the effect of the presence of BSA on restriction enzyme digestions performed using different reaction vessels. In nearly all instances, the presence of BSA enhanced the performance of restriction enzymes by at least two-fold.

Promega Notes 59, 46.