Site-specific endonuclease BcuAI from Bacillus cereus A

A new restriction endonuclease was isolated from the Bacillus cereus BKM B-814 by means of the cell disruption with ultrasonication, ammonium sulfate fractionation of the cell-free extract, and chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose to give about 1400 U of the enzyme per gram of cells. The enzyme revealed the maximum activity at 30-37 degrees C, pH 7.6-8.2, and 5-10 mM MgCl2 under a high ionic strength (50 mM Tris-HCl, 100 mM NaCl). The site-specific endonuclease BcuAI was found to recognize the 5' G down arrow G(A/T)CC sequence in double-stranded DNA and cleave it as shown with the arrow, thus being a true isoschisomer of the Avail restriction endonuclease.