Do Restriction Enzymes Only Cut Palindromes?

Restriction enzymes cut double-stranded DNA ^* at specific locations based the pattern of bases found at those locations. These enzymes predictably cut both strands because the sequences they recognize are palindromic. That is the recognition sequences are short string of identical bases on both DNA strands.

Do all restriction enzymes cut palindromes?

Most restriction enzymes cleave their palindromic recognition sequences asymmetrically, leaving a single-stranded overhang at each side of the cut (see Figure 4, top). At any given enzyme recognition cleavage site, these overhangs have unique and complementary sequences.

Do restriction enzymes only cut palindromes MCAT?

Not every restriction enzyme cuts palindromic sequences. Many do though, simply because it is more effective. Recognizing a palindromic sequence allows them to cut both strands of DNA at the "same" site, because the strand will have the same sequence only in different directions at that site.