title: Highlights of the DNA cutters: a short history of the restriction enzymes.
abstract: In the early 1950's, 'host-controlled variation in bacterial viruses' was reported as a non-hereditary phenomenon: one cycle of viral growth on certain bacterial hosts affected the ability of progeny virus to grow on other hosts by either restricting or enlarging their host range. Unlike mutation, this change was reversible, and one cycle of growth in the previous host returned the virus to its original form. These simple observations heralded the discovery of the endonuclease and methyltransferase activities of what are now termed Type I, II, III and IV DNA restriction-modification systems. The Type II restriction enzymes (e.g. EcoRI) gave rise to recombinant DNA technology that has transformed molecular biology and medicine. This review traces the discovery of restriction enzymes and their continuing impact on molecular biology and medicine.
authors.affiliation: Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands, EaStChemSchool of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JJ, Scotland, UK and New England Biolabs, Inc., 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA.
authors.forename: Wil A M
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Loenen
authors.forename: David T F
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Dryden
authors.forename: Elisabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Raleigh
authors.forename: Geoffrey G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Noreen E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D015254:DNA Modification Methylases / Q000266:history; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000266:history*; D015253:Deoxyribonucleases, Type I Site-Specific / Q000266:history; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific / Q000266:history; D015263:Deoxyribonucleases, Type III Site-Specific / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century
chemical_list: D015254:DNA Modification Methylases; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D015253:Deoxyribonucleases, Type I Site-Specific; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; D015263:Deoxyribonucleases, Type III Site-Specific