bio-restriction-sites - SKILL.md Agent Skill

name: bio-restriction-sites description: Find restriction enzyme cut sites in DNA sequences using Biopython Bio.Restriction. Search with single enzymes, batches of enzymes, or commercially available enzyme sets. Returns cut positions for linear or circular DNA. Use when finding restriction enzyme cut sites in sequences. tool_type: python primary_tool: Bio.Restriction measurable_outcome: Execute skill workflow successfully with valid output within 15 minutes. allowed-tools: - read_file - run_shell_command

Finding Restriction Sites

Core Pattern

from Bio import SeqIO
from Bio.Restriction import EcoRI, BamHI, HindIII, RestrictionBatch, Analysis

record = SeqIO.read('sequence.fasta', 'fasta')
seq = record.seq

# Single enzyme
sites = EcoRI.search(seq)  # Returns list of cut positions

Search with Single Enzyme

from Bio.Restriction import EcoRI

sites = EcoRI.search(seq)
print(f'EcoRI cuts at positions: {sites}')
print(f'Number of sites: {len(sites)}')

# Check if enzyme cuts
if EcoRI.search(seq):
    print('EcoRI cuts this sequence')
else:
    print('EcoRI does not cut')

Search with Multiple Enzymes

from Bio.Restriction import RestrictionBatch, EcoRI, BamHI, HindIII, XhoI

batch = RestrictionBatch([EcoRI, BamHI, HindIII, XhoI])

# Method 1: batch.search()
results = batch.search(seq)
for enzyme, sites in results.items():
    if sites:
        print(f'{enzyme}: {sites}')

# Method 2: Analysis class
analysis = Analysis(batch, seq)
results = analysis.full()

Use Built-in Enzyme Collections

from Bio.Restriction import AllEnzymes, CommOnly

# All known enzymes (800+)
analysis = Analysis(AllEnzymes, seq)

# Commercially available only
analysis = Analysis(CommOnly, seq)

# Get results
results = analysis.full()
for enzyme, sites in results.items():
    if sites:
        print(f'{enzyme}: {sites}')

Linear vs Circular DNA

from Bio.Restriction import EcoRI, Analysis, RestrictionBatch

# Linear DNA (default)
sites_linear = EcoRI.search(seq, linear=True)

# Circular DNA (plasmid)
sites_circular = EcoRI.search(seq, linear=False)

# With Analysis class
batch = RestrictionBatch([EcoRI, BamHI])
analysis = Analysis(batch, seq, linear=False)  # Circular

Filter Results

from Bio.Restriction import Analysis, CommOnly

analysis = Analysis(CommOnly, seq)

# Only enzymes that cut
analysis.print_that_cut()

# Only enzymes that don't cut (non-cutters)
analysis.print_that_dont_cut()

# Enzymes that cut once
analysis.print_once_cutters()

# Enzymes that cut twice
analysis.print_twice_cutters()

# Get as dictionary
cutters = analysis.only_cut()
non_cutters = analysis.only_dont_cut()
once_cutters = analysis.once_cutters()
twice_cutters = analysis.twice_cutters()

Get Enzyme Information

from Bio.Restriction import EcoRI

# Recognition sequence
print(f'Site: {EcoRI.site}')           # GAATTC
print(f'Esite: {EcoRI.esite}')         # Recognition with cut position

# Cut characteristics
print(f'Overhang: {EcoRI.ovhg}')       # 4 (positive = 5' overhang)
print(f'Blunt: {EcoRI.is_blunt()}')    # False
print(f'5\' overhang: {EcoRI.is_5overhang()}')  # True
print(f'3\' overhang: {EcoRI.is_3overhang()}')  # False

# Overhang sequence
print(f'Overhang seq: {EcoRI.ovhgseq}')  # AATT

# Isoschizomers (same recognition, different cut)
print(f'Isoschizomers: {EcoRI.isoschizomers()}')

# Compatible enzymes (same overhang)
print(f'Compatible: {EcoRI.compatible_end()}')

Common Cloning Enzymes

from Bio.Restriction import (
    EcoRI, BamHI, HindIII, XhoI, SalI, NotI, XbaI, SpeI,
    NcoI, NdeI, BglII, PstI, KpnI, SacI, EcoRV, SmaI
)

common_enzymes = RestrictionBatch([
    EcoRI, BamHI, HindIII, XhoI, SalI, NotI, XbaI,
    NcoI, NdeI, BglII, PstI, KpnI, SacI, EcoRV, SmaI
])

analysis = Analysis(common_enzymes, seq)
results = analysis.full()

Access Enzymes by Name

from Bio.Restriction import AllEnzymes

# Get enzyme by string name
ecori = AllEnzymes.get('EcoRI')
sites = ecori.search(seq)

# Check if enzyme exists
if 'EcoRI' in AllEnzymes:
    print('EcoRI is in database')

Search Multiple Sequences

from Bio import SeqIO
from Bio.Restriction import RestrictionBatch, EcoRI, BamHI

batch = RestrictionBatch([EcoRI, BamHI])

for record in SeqIO.parse('sequences.fasta', 'fasta'):
    analysis = Analysis(batch, record.seq)
    results = analysis.full()
    print(f'{record.id}:')
    for enzyme, sites in results.items():
        if sites:
            print(f'  {enzyme}: {sites}')

Notes

Positions are 1-based - first base is position 1
Cut position - where enzyme cuts (between bases)
Linear default - set linear=False for circular DNA
Case insensitive - recognition matches regardless of case
Ambiguous bases - some enzymes recognize N, R, Y, etc.

Related Skills

restriction-mapping - Visualize cut positions on sequence
enzyme-selection - Choose enzymes by criteria
fragment-analysis - Analyze resulting fragments