Restriction enzymes are highly specific nucleases which occur ubiquitously among prokaryotic organisms, where they serve to protect bacterial cells against foreign DNA. Many different types of restriction enzymes are known, among them multi-subunit enzymes which depend on ATP or GTP hydrolysis for target site location. The best known representatives, the orthodox type II restriction endonucleases, are homodimers which recognize palindromic sequences, 4 to 8 base pairs in length, and cleave the DNA within or immediately adjacent to the recognition site. In addition to their important biological role (up to 10 % of the genomes of prokaryotic organisms code for restriction/modification systems!), they are among the most important enzymes used for the analysis and recombination of DNA. In addition, they are model systems for the study of protein-nucleic acids interactions and, because of their ubiquitous occurence, also for the understanding of the mechanisms of evolution.

Survey and Summary A Nomenclature for Restriction Enzymes, DNA Methyltransferases, Homing Endonucleases and Their Genes

Restriction-Modification Systems as Minimal Forms of Life
Molecular Phylogenetics of Restriction Endonucleases
Sliding or Hopping? How Restriction Enzymes Find Their Way on DNA
The Type I and III Restriction Endonucleases: Structural Elements in Molecular Motors that Process DNA
The Integration of Recognition and Cleavage: X-Ray Structures of Pre-Transition State Complex, Post-Reactive Complex and the DNA-Free Endonuclease
Structure and Function of EcoRV Endonuclease
Two of a Kind: BamHI and Bg1II
Structure and Function of the Tetrameric Restriction Enzymes
Structure and Function of Type IIE Restriction Endonucleases - or: From a Plasmid that Restricts Phage Replication to a New Molecular DNA Recognition Mechanism
Analysis of Type II Restriction Endonucleases That Interact with Two Recognition Sites
The Role of Water in the EcoRI-DNA Binding
Role of Metal Ions in Promoting DNA Binding and Cleavage by Restriction Endonucleases
Restriction Endonudeases: Structure of the Conserved Catalytic Core and the Role of Metal Ions in DNA Cleavage
Protein Engineering of Restriction Enzymes
Engineering and Applications of Chimeric Nucleases.