Which of the following is a palindromic sequence?

• A

  $\begin{aligned} & 5^{\prime} \text { - CGTATG - 3' } \\ & 3^{\prime}-\text { GCATAC - 5' }\end{aligned}$
• B

  $\begin{aligned} & 5^{\prime}-C G A A T G-3^{\prime} \\ & 3^{\prime}-C G A A T G-5^{\prime}\end{aligned}$
• Correct answer
  C

  $\begin{aligned} & 5^{\prime} \text { - GAATTC - 3' } \\ & 3^{\prime} \text { - CTTAAG - 5' }\end{aligned}$
• D

  $\begin{aligned} & 5^{\prime}-\mathrm{GACTAC}-3^{\prime} \\ & 3^{\prime}-\mathrm{TACGAC}-5^{\prime}\end{aligned}$

Solution

The palindromes in DNA are base pair sequences that are the same when read forward (left to right) or backward (right to left) from a central axis of symmetry. The following sequence reads the same on the two strands in $5^{\prime} \rightarrow 3^{\prime}$ direction. This is also true when we read in the $3^{\prime} \rightarrow 5^{\prime}$ direction.
Restriction endonuclease enzymes recognize palindromic sequences in DNA and cut them.

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.