Difference Between Type I and Type II Restriction Enzyme

Key Difference – Type I vs Type II Restriction Enzyme
 

A restriction enzyme, more commonly referred to as a restriction endonuclease, has the ability to cleave DNA molecules into small fragments. This cleaving process occurs near or at special recognition site of the DNA molecule called a restriction site. A recognition site is typically composed of 4-8 base pairs. Depending on the site of cleavage, restriction enzymes can be of four different types; Type I, Type II, Type III and Type IV. In addition to the site of cleavage, factors such as composition, the requirement of co factors and the condition of the target sequence are taken into consideration when differentiating restriction enzymes into four groups. During the cleavage of DNA molecule, the cleaving site can be either at the restriction site itself or at a distance from the restriction site.  During the process of cleavage of DNA, the restriction enzymes create two incisions through each of the sugar phosphate backbones in the double helix of DNA. Restriction enzymes are mainly found in Achaea and bacteria. They utilize these enzymes as a defense mechanism against the invading viruses. The restriction enzymes cleave the foreign (pathogenic) DNA, but not its own DNA. Its own DNA gets protected by an enzyme known as methyltransferase which makes modifications in the host DNA and prevents cleavage. Type I restriction enzyme possesses a cleaving site which is away from the recognition site. Type II restriction enzymes cleave within the recognition site itself or at a closer distance to it. This is the key difference between Type I and Type II restriction enzyme.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Type I Restriction Enzyme
3. What is Type II Restriction Enzyme
4. Similarities Between Type I and Type II Restriction Enzyme
5. Side by Side Comparison – Type I vs Type II Restriction Enzyme in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Type I Restriction Enzyme?

Type I restriction enzymes are pentameric proteins composed of three multi subunits: restriction subunit, methylation subunit, and DNA sequence recognition subunit.  These subunits are non-identical. They were initially identified in two different forms of Escherichia coli. The cleavage site of these restriction enzymes is present at different random points, typically 1000 base pairs away from the recognition site. These restriction enzymes require ATP, Mg²⁺ and S-adenosyl-L-methionine for its activation. Type I restriction enzymes possess both methylase and restriction activities. Bacteria use restriction enzymes as a cellular defense mechanism from invading viruses. Restriction enzymes cleave viral DNA and destroy them. But in order to prevent the cleavage of its own host DNA, type I restriction enzyme provides a methylation protection. This modifies host DNA and prevents cleavage. Even though these restriction enzymes are biochemically important, they are not used widely since they do not provide discrete restriction fragments or gel binding patterns.

What are Type II Restriction Enzymes?

Type II restriction enzymes contain two identical subunits within their structure. Homodimers are formed by type II restriction enzymes with the recognition sites. The recognition sites are typically palindromic and are undivided. It has a length of 4-8 base pairs. Unlike type I, Type II restriction enzyme’s cleavage site is present at the recognition site or present at close distance to the recognition site.

These restriction enzymes are biochemically significant and are widely available commercially. For its activation, it requires only Mg²⁺.  It doesn’t have a methylation activity and only provides the function of restriction activity. These restriction enzymes bind to the DNA molecules as homodimers and have the ability to recognize symmetrical DNA sequences as well as asymmetrical sequences.

What are the Similarities Between Type I and Type II Restriction Enzymes?

• Type I and Type II restriction enzymes are types of enzymes are restriction endonucleases which involve in the cleavage of DNA molecules into smaller fragments.
• Both are useful in Molecular biological techniques.

What is the Difference Between Type I and Type II Restriction Enzyme?

Summary – Type I vs Type II Restriction Enzyme

Restriction enzymes are referred to as biological scissors which cleave DNA molecules into smaller substances. Restriction enzymes are differentiated into 04 different categories according to the location of the cleavage site with respect to the recognition site, co factors present, composition and condition of the target sequence. For its activation, Type I restriction enzymes require ATP, Mg^2+, and S-adenosyl-L-methionine. The cleavage site of type I restriction enzyme is present typically 1000 base pairs away from the recognition site and provide the methylase protection to DNA. Type II restrictions enzymes only require Mg²⁺ for its activation. The cleavage site is present at the recognition site or close to it. It doesn’t have a methylation activity and is widely available commercially.  This is the difference between type I restriction enzyme and type II restriction enzyme.

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Reference:

1. Biolabs, New England. “Types of Restriction Endonucleases.” Types of Restriction Endonucleases | NEB, Available here. Accessed 25 Aug. 2017.
2. Pingoud, A, et al. “Type II restriction endonucleases–a historical perspective and more.” Nucleic acids research., U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2014, Available here. Accessed 25 Aug. 2017.
2. Loenen, W A, et al. “Type I restriction enzymes and their relatives.” Nucleic acids research., U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2014, Available here. Accessed 25 Aug. 2017.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Restriction enzyme Eco RI” By Tinastella – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia