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EcoRV restriction enzyme. Molecular model of the type II restriction enzyme EcoRV (pink and yellow) bound to a cleaved section of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid, red and blue). Restriction enzymes, also known as restriction endonucleases, recognise specific nucleotide sequences and cut the DNA at these sites. They are found in bacteria and archaea and are though to have evolved as a defence against viral infection. Type II restriction enzymes cut double stranded DNA. EcoRV is found in some strains of Escherichia coli bacteria. This structure is based on X-ray crystallography data.