Advances in Diversity, Evolutionary Dynamics and Biotechnological Potential of Restriction-Modification Systems

Restriction–modification systems (RMS) are ubiquitous in prokaryotes and serve as primitive immune-like mechanisms that safeguard microbial genomes against foreign genetic elements. Beyond their well-known role in sequence-specific defense, RMS also contribute significantly to genomic stability, dri...

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Main Authors: Chen Chen, Yue Zhang, Hao Wu, Jianjun Qiao, Qinggele Caiyin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/5/1126
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author Chen Chen
Yue Zhang
Hao Wu
Jianjun Qiao
Qinggele Caiyin
author_facet Chen Chen
Yue Zhang
Hao Wu
Jianjun Qiao
Qinggele Caiyin
author_sort Chen Chen
collection DOAJ
description Restriction–modification systems (RMS) are ubiquitous in prokaryotes and serve as primitive immune-like mechanisms that safeguard microbial genomes against foreign genetic elements. Beyond their well-known role in sequence-specific defense, RMS also contribute significantly to genomic stability, drive evolutionary processes, and mitigate the deleterious effects of mutations. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current insights into RMS, emphasizing their structural and functional diversity, ecological and evolutionary roles, and expanding applications in biotechnology. By integrating recent advances with an analysis of persisting challenges, we highlight the critical contributions of RMS to both fundamental microbiology and practical applications in biomedicine and industrial biotechnology. Furthermore, we discuss emerging research directions in RMS, particularly in light of novel technologies and the increasing importance of microbial genetics in addressing global health and environmental issues.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2076-2607
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Microorganisms
spelling doaj-art-e00690b43bf14d4ca332e9ccf015dbf52025-08-20T03:47:54ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-05-01135112610.3390/microorganisms13051126Advances in Diversity, Evolutionary Dynamics and Biotechnological Potential of Restriction-Modification SystemsChen Chen0Yue Zhang1Hao Wu2Jianjun Qiao3Qinggele Caiyin4School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaSchool of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaZhejiang Institute of Tianjin University (Shaoxing), Shaoxing 312300, ChinaSchool of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaSchool of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaRestriction–modification systems (RMS) are ubiquitous in prokaryotes and serve as primitive immune-like mechanisms that safeguard microbial genomes against foreign genetic elements. Beyond their well-known role in sequence-specific defense, RMS also contribute significantly to genomic stability, drive evolutionary processes, and mitigate the deleterious effects of mutations. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current insights into RMS, emphasizing their structural and functional diversity, ecological and evolutionary roles, and expanding applications in biotechnology. By integrating recent advances with an analysis of persisting challenges, we highlight the critical contributions of RMS to both fundamental microbiology and practical applications in biomedicine and industrial biotechnology. Furthermore, we discuss emerging research directions in RMS, particularly in light of novel technologies and the increasing importance of microbial genetics in addressing global health and environmental issues.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/5/1126restriction–modification systemsmicrobial immunitygenomic stabilitybiotechnologyevolutionary dynamicsmicrobial genetics
spellingShingle Chen Chen
Yue Zhang
Hao Wu
Jianjun Qiao
Qinggele Caiyin
Advances in Diversity, Evolutionary Dynamics and Biotechnological Potential of Restriction-Modification Systems
Microorganisms
restriction–modification systems
microbial immunity
genomic stability
biotechnology
evolutionary dynamics
microbial genetics
title Advances in Diversity, Evolutionary Dynamics and Biotechnological Potential of Restriction-Modification Systems
title_full Advances in Diversity, Evolutionary Dynamics and Biotechnological Potential of Restriction-Modification Systems
title_fullStr Advances in Diversity, Evolutionary Dynamics and Biotechnological Potential of Restriction-Modification Systems
title_full_unstemmed Advances in Diversity, Evolutionary Dynamics and Biotechnological Potential of Restriction-Modification Systems
title_short Advances in Diversity, Evolutionary Dynamics and Biotechnological Potential of Restriction-Modification Systems
title_sort advances in diversity evolutionary dynamics and biotechnological potential of restriction modification systems
topic restriction–modification systems
microbial immunity
genomic stability
biotechnology
evolutionary dynamics
microbial genetics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/5/1126
work_keys_str_mv AT chenchen advancesindiversityevolutionarydynamicsandbiotechnologicalpotentialofrestrictionmodificationsystems
AT yuezhang advancesindiversityevolutionarydynamicsandbiotechnologicalpotentialofrestrictionmodificationsystems
AT haowu advancesindiversityevolutionarydynamicsandbiotechnologicalpotentialofrestrictionmodificationsystems
AT jianjunqiao advancesindiversityevolutionarydynamicsandbiotechnologicalpotentialofrestrictionmodificationsystems
AT qinggelecaiyin advancesindiversityevolutionarydynamicsandbiotechnologicalpotentialofrestrictionmodificationsystems