HELIXPrep › Recombinant DNA Technology and Other Tools › Recombinant DNA Technology
Module 6.1 · Topic 1
Module 6.1 · Topic 1
Why doesn't a bacterium destroy its own genome?
A bacterium produces an enzyme specifically built to cut DNA at a recognition sequence. That sequence appears — many times — in the bacterium's own chromosome. Something has to stop the enzyme from shredding its own producer's genome.
A restriction enzyme's recognition sequence exists in both invading phage DNA and the host bacterium's own chromosome. How does the bacterium avoid cutting itself?
A bacterium avoids cutting its own genome with its own restriction enzyme because:
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