Restriction endonucleases, often called restriction enzymes, are proteins that cleave DNA molecules at specific recognition nucleotide sequences known as restriction sites. The way these enzymes cut the DNA determines the type of ends generated: blunt ends, 5' overhangs, or 3' overhangs.
Let's examine the cutting patterns of the given restriction enzymes:
| Restriction Enzyme | Recognition Site (Double Stranded) | Cut Site | Overhang Type |
| EcoRI | $5'-GAATTC-3' 3'-CTTAAG-5'$ |
$5'-G | AATTC -3' 3'-CTTAA | G -5'$ |
5' overhang |
| Hind III | $5'-AAGCTT-3' 3'-TTCGAA-5'$ |
$5'-A | AGCTT -3' 3'-TTCGA | A -5'$ |
5' overhang |
| Pst I | $5'-CTGCAG-3' 3'-GACGTC-5'$ |
$5'-CTGCA | G -3' 3'-G | ACGTC -5'$ |
3' overhang |
| Sau 3AI | $5'-GATC-3' 3'-CTAG-5'$ |
$5'-G | ATC -3' 3'-CT | AG -5'$ |
5' overhang |
Based on the analysis, Pst I is the restriction endonuclease among the choices that generates 3' overhangs.