Nicking Endonucleases as Unique Tools for Biotechnology and Gene Engineering

Abstract

Nicking endonucleases (NE) are a special group of the restriction endonucleases family. These unique enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of only one DNA strand in a predetermined position relative to the recognition site. In this review, we summarize the engineering methods for NE construction: inactivation of the catalytic center of restriction endonucleases, disruption of enzyme dimerization interface, or random mutagenesis of the genes оf restriction endonucleases. The main methods of NE application in biotechnology and gene engineering are described. NE-mediated amplification for the enhancement of analytical signal in the detection of nucleic acids, proteins, and small molecules is characterized.