type II site-specific deoxyribonuclease complex

Term ID

GO:0009359

Synonyms

• type II restriction enzyme complex

Definition

A protein complex that functions as an endonuclease to cleave DNA at or near a specific recognition site, when that site is unmethylated. These complexes may be dimers or tetramers; it is also possible for the endonuclease to be in a complex with the corresponding methyltransferase that methylates the recognition site. DNA restriction systems such as this are used by bacteria to defend against phage and other foreign DNA that may enter a cell. 12654995

References

Ontology

GO: Cellular Component    QuickGO    AmiGO