The genes encoding the
ApaLI (5′-G^TGCAC-3′),
NspI (5′-RCATG^Y-3′),
NspHI (5′-RCATG^Y-3′),
SacI (5′-GAGCT^C-3′),
SapI (5′-GCTCTTCN1^-3′, 5′-^N4GAAGAGC-3′) and
ScaI (5′-AGT^ACT-3′) restriction-modification systems have been cloned in
E.␣coli. Amino acid sequence comparison of M.
ApaLI, M.
NspI, M.
NspHI, and M.
SacI with known methylases indicated that they contain the ten conserved motifs characteristic of C5 cytosine methylases.
NspI and
NspHI restriction-modification systems are highly homologous in amino acid sequence. The C-termini of the
NspI and
NlaIII (5′-CATG-3′) restriction endonucleases share significant similarity. 5mC modification of the internal C in a
SacI site renders it resistant to
SacI digestion. External 5mC modification of a
SacI site has no effect on
SacI digestion. N4mC modification of the second base in the sequence 5′-GCTCTTC-3′ blocks
SapI digestion. N4mC modification of the other cytosines in the
SapI site does not affect
SapI digestion. N4mC modification of
ScaI site blocks
ScaI digetion. A DNA invertase homolog was found adjacent to the
ApaLI restriction-modification system. A DNA transposase subunit homolog was found upstream of the
SapI restriction endonuclease gene.
Key words Restriction endonuclease - Methylase selection - Gene expression - DNA methylation - Recombinant DNA
Received: 15 April 1998 / Accepted: 3 August 1998