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Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Sequence-specific Labeling of Nucleic Acids and Proteins with Methyltransferases and Cofactor Analogues
Published on: November 22, 2014
Advanced biotechnology using methyltransferase and its applications in bacteria: a mini review
Jun Ren1, Hyang-Mi Lee1, JunHao Shen1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Since prokaryotic restriction-modification (RM) systems protect the host by cleaving foreign DNA by restriction endonucleases, it is difficult to introduce engineered plasmid DNAs into newly isolated microorganisms whose RM system is not discovered. The prokaryotes also possess methyltransferases to protect their own DNA from the endonucleases. As those methyltransferases can be utilized to methylate engineered plasmid DNAs before transformation and to enhance the stability within the cells, the study on methyltransferases in newly isolated bacteria is essential for genetic engineering. Here, we introduce the mechanism of the RM system, specifically the methyltransferases and their biotechnological applications. These biotechnological strategies could facilitate plasmid DNA-based genetic engineering in bacteria strains that strongly defend against foreign DNA.
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