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What is the difference between sticky ends and blunt ends?
Posted November 2, 2020
Answer
Sticky ends and blunt ends refer to two types of ends found in DNA strands. Both types of ends are generated when the restriction enzyme cuts the DNA strand. Restriction enzymes are proteins that cut DNA at specific sequences. Depending on where and how the enzyme cuts the DNA, it will result in either sticky or blunt ends.
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Basis for comparison | Sticky ends | Blunt ends |
| Formation | Formed when the restriction enzyme makes staggered cuts that are not directly opposite each other | Formed when the restriction enzyme makes a straight cut through both DNA strands in the same place |
| Physical characteristics | The ends feature overhangs that allow the two ends to base-pair and join together with another DNA strand | The ends are blunt and do not feature any overhangs or unpaired bases |
| Pairing | Have unpaired DNA nucleotide on either 5’- or 3’- strand | There is no unpaired DNA strand |
| Also known as | Cohesive ends | Non-cohesive ends |
Additional resources
6-ROXtra™ fluorescence reference solution *25 uM for PCR reactions*