PC/GENE: Restriction Enzyme Analysis

Abstract

Analysis of a nucleotide sequence using restriction endonucleases is perhaps one of the most basic functions carried out by various sequence analysis software programs. The PC/GENE programs provide a comprehensive coverage of various protocols related to the restriction endonucleases. The program RESTRI finds restriction enzyme cleavage sites within a sequence; results can be presented in tabular or graphic formats. The program DIGEST finds digestion patterns using a single enzyme or multiple restriction enzymes. Thus, this program is useful for predicting the pattern obtained upon electrophoresis of a single or multiple digestion of a nucleic acid of known sequence. The program REDIT provides ready access to the information in and allows editing of the restriction enzyme data file. This program obviates the need to search through multiple catalogs or other tables for information regarding availability, specificity, isoschizomers, and other properties of the restriction enzymes. The program MUTSITE finds positions where a new restriction site can be created by a single base change. The output from this program indicates whether the single base change will have an influence on the amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by the region of interest. Thus, this program is very useful for design of targets to be used for cassette mutagenesis.