Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Enhanced Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing for Assessment of DNA Methylation at Base Pair Resolution
Published on: February 24, 2015
REBASE: restriction enzymes and methyltransferases.
Richard J Roberts1, Tamas Vincze, Janos Posfai
1New England BioLabs, Inc., 32 Tozer Road, Beverly, MA 01915, USA. roberts@neb.com
REBASE is a comprehensive database for restriction enzymes and DNA methyltransferases, offering detailed data on recognition sites, isoschizomers, and methylation sensitivity. It also includes information on restriction-modification systems in bacterial and archaeal genomes.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Restriction enzymes and DNA methyltransferases are crucial tools in molecular biology.
- Understanding restriction-modification (R-M) systems is vital for genome analysis and biotechnology.
- Databases are essential for organizing and accessing complex biological information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive and up-to-date resource for restriction enzymes, DNA methyltransferases, and related proteins.
- To detail methylation sensitivity of restriction enzymes and information on R-M systems.
- To make this data accessible through web and FTP interfaces.
Main Methods:
- Data compilation from published and unpublished literature.
- Inclusion of recognition and cleavage sites, isoschizomers, and commercial availability.
- Analysis of R-M systems across over 100 sequenced bacterial and archaeal genomes.
Main Results:
- REBASE contains extensive information on restriction enzymes, DNA methyltransferases, nicking enzymes, and related proteins.
- Detailed data on methylation sensitivity of restriction enzymes is available.
- Information on known and putative R-M systems in numerous microbial genomes is included.
Conclusions:
- REBASE serves as an indispensable, continuously updated resource for researchers in molecular biology, genomics, and biotechnology.
- The database facilitates the study of enzyme specificity, R-M systems, and genome defense mechanisms.
- Accessibility via web and FTP ensures broad utilization by the scientific community.
Related Concept Videos
Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
Riboswitches
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
Ribozymes
Ribozymes can be...
Ribozymes
Ribozymes can be...
Restriction Enzymes
The host bacteria protect their own genomic DNA from these enzymes by methylating these sites. Some...
Mismatch Repair
The Mutator Protein Family Plays a Key Role in DNA Mismatch Repair
The human genome has more than 3 billion base pairs of DNA per cell. Prior to cell division, that vast amount of genetic...

