Question about Restriction Enzyme Site Terminology

[cbaldwin]

In The Blood Group Antigen Facts Book there is a section for each antigen titled "Molecular basis associated with antigen". In this section is the name of the restriction enzyme that is used for PCR-RFLP. For instance, on page 236 of the second edition, the restriction enzyme for Kp^b is Nla III and the site is ablated.

I have a question about the terminology used. If you look through the book and note the restriction enzyme, sometimes the site is "present", sometimes it is "lost", sometimes "ablated", sometimes "gained". What do these terms mean? I understand "present" but what is the difference between "ablated" and "lost"?

I gave a presentation on molecular testing methods for my class and I noticed this and no one I have asked has been able to answer, even a fellow student with a Masters Degree in Molecular Biology.

Thank you!

Edited August 6, 2012 by cbaldwin