Which amongst the following was the first restriction endonuclease enzyme used ?

Options

A. Bam HI
B. Sma I
C. Eco RI
D. Hind II

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Restriction Endonucleases:**
- Restriction endonucleases, also known as restriction enzymes, are proteins that cut DNA at specific sequences. They are essential tools in molecular biology for DNA manipulation.

2. **Identifying the Options:**
- The question provides four options for the first restriction endonuclease:
- A) BAMH-1
- B) SMA-1
- C) EcoR-1
- D) Hint-2 (which refers to another option not explicitly named).

3. **Historical Context:**
- The first restriction endonuclease to be discovered was from the bacterium *Haemophilus influenzae*. This discovery was significant in the field of genetics and biotechnology.

4. **Key Scientists:**
- The discovery of the first restriction endonuclease is credited to three scientists:
- Hamilton O. Smith
- Daniel Nathans
- Werner Arber.
- They were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work in the field of molecular biology.

5. **Correct Answer:**
- The first restriction endonuclease enzyme that was discovered is **HindII**, which is often referred to in educational contexts as "Hint-2".
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question is **D) Hint-2**.