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Palindromes are DNA sequences recognized by restriction endonucleases.
They are 4 to 8 bases in length
They mirror image (base pairs) if one draws an imaginary line in the middle
Examples
CTGCAG
TAAGCTTA
GTAC
Note for example in sequence one above the first C can be paired with the last C and the second T can be paired with the 5th A and the third base G can be paired with the 4hth base C
Fold the paper in the middle and they should match
Note that restriction endonucleases recognize the sequence which we have recognized by folding the middle but they do not necessarily cut it in the middle, they may cut it obliquely yielding sticky ends or may cut it exactly in the middle yielding blunt ends.
For example here's a double stranded Palindrome cut into sticky ends
CTGCAG
GACGTC
cut to
C---TGCAG
GACGT---C
This is a common USMLE question
They are 4 to 8 bases in length
They mirror image (base pairs) if one draws an imaginary line in the middle
Examples
CTGCAG
TAAGCTTA
GTAC
Note for example in sequence one above the first C can be paired with the last C and the second T can be paired with the 5th A and the third base G can be paired with the 4hth base C
Fold the paper in the middle and they should match
Note that restriction endonucleases recognize the sequence which we have recognized by folding the middle but they do not necessarily cut it in the middle, they may cut it obliquely yielding sticky ends or may cut it exactly in the middle yielding blunt ends.
For example here's a double stranded Palindrome cut into sticky ends
CTGCAG
GACGTC
cut to
C---TGCAG
GACGT---C
This is a common USMLE question