Why is it called "star" activity?

[minkathebest]

I understand the definition of this phenomnen is that restriction enzyme eats up sequences which it is not designed to chew up.

 

But, I am very curious to know why they coined it as "STAR" activity.

 

anything on this would be appreciated.

 

babA

[CharonY]

The guys identifying the less specific restriction by EcoRI (the Boyer's lab, I think) termed the activity EcoRI* to distinguish it from normal enzyme activity. The asterisk was then later on translated to "star".