<em>Restriction enzymes, also known as restriction endonucleases or DNA-cutter identify the base pairs to act on by targeting and binding to the recognition site in a gene. </em>
The recognition site in a gene/DNA consists of four to eight palindromic nucleotide sequence. It is a region that the restriction enzyme cuts during the genetic engineering process in order to produce sticky or blunt ends. A gene might contain more than one recognition site.
Restriction enzymes are usually found in prokaryotic organisms, especially bacteria where they function primarily as defense molecules against bacteriophages.
