Restriction-modification systems

Vasu, K and Rao, DN and Nagaraja, V (2019) Restriction-modification systems. [Book Chapter]

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Abstract

Restriction-modification (R-M) systems are abundant, ubiquitous, and minimal independent systems that limit exogenous invading DNA elements from becoming established in bacterial cells. These highly efficient molecular machines are often considered to be primitive bacterial immune systems. Their molecular diversity and prevalence across the prokaryotic kingdom point to their success as a defense system, particularly against bacteriophages. However, an arms race-evolutionary pressure exists for phages and bacteria to evolve new anti-restriction systems and restriction endonuclease specificity, respectively. This article deals with R-M systems as engines of diversity in structure, mechanism and cleavage characteristics. We discuss that R-M systems are not just a bacterial defense strategy but serve in various cellular processes and even as regulators of bacterial evolution. We also consider R-M systems as drivers for engineering DNA recognition specificity and generation of chimeric and synthetic enzymes. © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Book Chapter
Publication:	Encyclopedia of Microbiology
Publisher:	Elsevier
Additional Information:	The copyright for this article belongs to Elsevier.
Keywords:	BacteriophagesPlasmidsBacteriumMutationChromosomeClustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic RepeatMethylationDNA MethylationEscherichia coli
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Biochemistry Division of Biological Sciences > Microbiology & Cell Biology
Date Deposited:	13 Dec 2022 04:13
Last Modified:	13 Dec 2022 04:13
URI:	https://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/78196

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