99
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017
S. Sugathan et al. (eds.), Bioresources and Bioprocess in Biotechnology,
DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-4284-3_4
G. Valsala • S. Sugathan (*)
Division of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute,
Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, 695562
e-mail: gayathri.v.biotech@gmail.com; drshiburaj@gmail.com
4
Enzymes as Molecular Tools
Gayathri Valsala and Shiburaj Sugathan
Abstract
Development of molecular techniques has led to revolutionary advancements in
various fields of biosciences. Enzymes that modify nucleic acids are of paramount importance in these techniques. A wide range of enzymes involved in the
catalysis of polymerization, ligation, cleavage, and other manipulations of DNA
and RNA are currently available. Novel enzymes with improved properties are
being developed by manufacturers. Molecular cloning is now a regular laboratory technique with a vast array of enzymes available from various commercial
sources and to select an enzyme apt for a particular application has become a
tedious task. This chapter aims to provide details on the different commercial
enzymes available for routine molecular biology work, in addition to reviewing
the important classes of enzymes that are used in molecular biology.
Keywords
Polymerases • Nucleases • Ligases • Enzymes • Molecular biology
4.1
Introduction
Enzymes are biomolecules capable of acting as catalysts and help accelerate biochemical reactions. They are responsible for the regulation of biochemical pathways in all living organisms. The catalytic ability of enzymes is highly specific and
is more efficient in accelerating the rate of a chemical reaction than any
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017
S. Sugathan et al. (eds.), Bioresources and Bioprocess in Biotechnology,
DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-4284-3_4
G. Valsala • S. Sugathan (*)
Division of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute,
Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, 695562
e-mail: gayathri.v.biotech@gmail.com; drshiburaj@gmail.com
4
Enzymes as Molecular Tools
Gayathri Valsala and Shiburaj Sugathan
Abstract
Development of molecular techniques has led to revolutionary advancements in
various fields of biosciences. Enzymes that modify nucleic acids are of paramount importance in these techniques. A wide range of enzymes involved in the
catalysis of polymerization, ligation, cleavage, and other manipulations of DNA
and RNA are currently available. Novel enzymes with improved properties are
being developed by manufacturers. Molecular cloning is now a regular laboratory technique with a vast array of enzymes available from various commercial
sources and to select an enzyme apt for a particular application has become a
tedious task. This chapter aims to provide details on the different commercial
enzymes available for routine molecular biology work, in addition to reviewing
the important classes of enzymes that are used in molecular biology.
Keywords
Polymerases • Nucleases • Ligases • Enzymes • Molecular biology
4.1
Introduction
Enzymes are biomolecules capable of acting as catalysts and help accelerate biochemical reactions. They are responsible for the regulation of biochemical pathways in all living organisms. The catalytic ability of enzymes is highly specific and
is more efficient in accelerating the rate of a chemical reaction than any