R factor-controlled restriction and modification of deoxyribonucleic acid: restriction mutants

Nutrient Loading and Viral Memory Drive Accumulation of Restriction Modification Systems in Bloom-Forming Cyanobacteria

The mechanisms driving cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (HABs) like those caused by Microcystis aeruginosa remain elusive, but improved defense against viral predation has been implicated for success in eutrophic environments. Our genus-level analyses of 139,023 genomes revealed that HAB-forming cyanobacteria carry vastly more restriction modification systems per genome (RMPG) than nearly all other prokaryotic genera, suggesting that viral defense is a cornerstone of their ecological success. In contrast, picocyanobacteria that numerically dominate nutrient-poor systems have the fewest RMPG within the phylum Cyanobacteria. We used classic resource competition models to explore the hypothesis that nutrient enrichments drive ecological selection for high RMPG due to increased host-phage contact rate. These classic models, agnostic to the mechanism of defense, explain how nutrient loading can select for increased RMPG but, importantly, fail to explain the extreme accumulation of these defense systems. However, extreme accumulation of RMPG can be achieved in a novel “memory” model that accounts for a unique activity of restriction modification systems: the accidental methylation of viral DNA by the methyltransferase. The methylated virus “remembers” the RM defenses of its former host and can evade these defenses if they are present in the next host. This viral memory leads to continual RM system devaluation; RMs accumulate extensively because the benefit of each addition is diminished. Our modeling leads to the hypothesis that nutrient loading and virion methylation drive the extreme accumulation of RMPG in HAB-forming cyanobacteria. Finally, our models suggest that hosts with different RMPG values can coexist when hosts have unique sets of RM systems.

DNA damage-signaling, homologous recombination and genetic mutation induced by 5-azacytidine and DNA-protein crosslinks in Escherichia coli

Covalent linkage between DNA and proteins produces highly toxic lesions and can be caused by commonly used chemotherapeutic agents, by internal and external chemicals and by radiation. In this study, using Escherichia coli, we investigate the consequences of 5-azacytidine (5-azaC), which traps covalent complexes between itself and the Dcm cytosine methyltransferase protein. DNA protein crosslink-dependent effects can be ascertained by effects that arise in wild-type but not in dcmΔ strains. We find that 5-azaC induces the bacterial DNA damage response and stimulates homologous recombination, a component of which is Dcm-dependent. Template-switching at an imperfect inverted repeat ("quasipalindrome", QP) is strongly enhanced by 5-azaC and this enhancement was entirely Dcm-dependent and independent of double-strand break repair. The SOS response helps ameliorate the mutagenic effect of 5-azaC but this is not a result of SOS-induced DNA polymerases since their induction, especially PolIV, seems to stimulate QP-associated mutagenesis. Cell division regulator SulA was also required for recovery of QP mutants induced by 5-azaC. In the absence of Lon protease, Dcm-dependent QP-mutagenesis is strongly elevated, suggesting it may play a role in DPC tolerance. Deletions at short tandem repeats, which occur likewise by a replication template-switch, are elevated, but only modestly, by 5-azaC. We see evidence for Dcm-dependent and-independent killing by 5-azaC in sensitive mutants, such as recA, recB, and lon; homologous recombination and deletion mutations are also stimulated in part by a Dcm-independent effect of 5-azaC. Whether this occurs by a different protein/DNA crosslink or by an alternative form of DNA damage is unknown.

Low-level expression of the Type II restriction-modification system confers potent bacteriophage resistance in Escherichia coli

Restriction–modification systems (R–M) are one of the antiviral defense tools used by bacteria, and those of the Type II family are composed of a restriction endonuclease (REase) and a DNA methyltransferase (MTase). Most entering DNA molecules are usually cleaved by the REase before they can be methylated by MTase, although the observed level of fragmented DNA may vary significantly. Using a model EcoRI R–M system, we report that the balance between DNA methylation and cleavage may be severely affected by transcriptional signals coming from outside the R–M operon. By modulating the activity of the promoter, we obtained a broad range of restriction phenotypes for the EcoRI R–M system that differed by up to 4 orders of magnitude in our biological assays. Surprisingly, we found that high expression levels of the R–M proteins were associated with reduced restriction of invading bacteriophage DNA. Our results suggested that the regulatory balance of cleavage and methylation was highly sensitive to fluctuations in transcriptional signals both up- and downstream of the R–M operon. Our data provided further insights into Type II R–M system maintenance and the potential conflict within the host bacterium.

An efficient single pot DNA recombination method for protein library generation

A simple single pot method was developed to generate a library of protein hybrids/chimeras from unrelated parents. This method allows unbiased facile DNA shuffling based recombination between the parents with the introduction of type IIB restriction enzyme, BsaXI, at multiple distinct crossover sites. To assess this methodology, B1 immunoglobulin domain of protein G and top7 were recombined at four sites, yielding 2⁵ (32) possible hybrid proteins. Tandem colony multiplex PCR based screening was followed to screen the hybrid clones and, sequencing analysis confirmed seven hybrid clones with no sequence bias.

Restriction enzymes and their use in molecular biology: An overview

Restriction enzymes have been identified in the early 1950s of the past century and have quickly become key players in the molecular biology of DNA. Forty years ago, the scientists whose pioneering work had explored the activity and sequence specificity of these enzymes, contributing to the definition of their enormous potential as tools for DNA characterization, mapping and manipulation, were awarded the Nobel Prize. In this short review, we celebrate the history of these enzymes in the light of their many different uses, as these proteins have accompanied the history of DNA for over 50 years representing active witnesses of major steps in the field.

Overview of High-Throughput Cloning Methods for the Post-genomic Era

The advent of new DNA sequencing technologies leads to a dramatic increase in the number of available genome sequences and therefore of target genes with potential for functional analysis. The insertion of these sequences into proper expression vectors requires a simple an efficient cloning method. In addition, when expressing a target protein, quite often it is necessary to evaluate different DNA constructs to achieve a soluble and homogeneous expression of the target with satisfactory yields. The development of new molecular methods made possible the cloning of a huge number of DNA sequences in a high-throughput manner, necessary for meeting the increasing demands for soluble protein expression and characterization. In this chapter several molecular methods suitable for high-throughput cloning are reviewed.

Type II restriction endonucleases--a historical perspective and more

This article continues the series of Surveys and Summaries on restriction endonucleases (REases) begun this year in Nucleic Acids Research. Here we discuss 'Type II' REases, the kind used for DNA analysis and cloning. We focus on their biochemistry: what they are, what they do, and how they do it. Type II REases are produced by prokaryotes to combat bacteriophages. With extreme accuracy, each recognizes a particular sequence in double-stranded DNA and cleaves at a fixed position within or nearby. The discoveries of these enzymes in the 1970s, and of the uses to which they could be put, have since impacted every corner of the life sciences. They became the enabling tools of molecular biology, genetics and biotechnology, and made analysis at the most fundamental levels routine. Hundreds of different REases have been discovered and are available commercially. Their genes have been cloned, sequenced and overexpressed. Most have been characterized to some extent, but few have been studied in depth. Here, we describe the original discoveries in this field, and the properties of the first Type II REases investigated. We discuss the mechanisms of sequence recognition and catalysis, and the varied oligomeric modes in which Type II REases act. We describe the surprising heterogeneity revealed by comparisons of their sequences and structures.

Highlights of the DNA cutters: a short history of the restriction enzymes

In the early 1950's, 'host-controlled variation in bacterial viruses' was reported as a non-hereditary phenomenon: one cycle of viral growth on certain bacterial hosts affected the ability of progeny virus to grow on other hosts by either restricting or enlarging their host range. Unlike mutation, this change was reversible, and one cycle of growth in the previous host returned the virus to its original form. These simple observations heralded the discovery of the endonuclease and methyltransferase activities of what are now termed Type I, II, III and IV DNA restriction-modification systems. The Type II restriction enzymes (e.g. EcoRI) gave rise to recombinant DNA technology that has transformed molecular biology and medicine. This review traces the discovery of restriction enzymes and their continuing impact on molecular biology and medicine.

DNA cloning: a personal view after 40 years

In November 1973, my colleagues A. C. Y. Chang, H. W. Boyer, R. B. Helling, and I reported in PNAS that individual genes can be cloned and isolated by enzymatically cleaving DNA molecules into fragments, linking the fragments to an autonomously replicating plasmid, and introducing the resulting recombinant DNA molecules into bacteria. A few months later, Chang and I reported that genes from unrelated bacterial species can be combined and propagated using the same approach and that interspecies recombinant DNA molecules can produce a biologically functional protein in a foreign host. Soon afterward, Boyer's laboratory and mine published our collaborative discovery that even genes from animal cells can be cloned in bacteria. These three PNAS papers quickly led to the use of DNA cloning methods in multiple areas of the biological and chemical sciences. They also resulted in a highly public controversy about the potential hazards of laboratory manipulation of genetic material, a decision by Stanford University and the University of California to seek patents on the technology that Boyer and I had invented, and the application of DNA cloning methods for commercial purposes. In the 40 years that have passed since publication of our findings, use of DNA cloning has produced insights about the workings of genes and cells in health and disease and has altered the nature of the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries. Here, I provide a personal perspective of the events that led to, and followed, our report of DNA cloning.

Nanoaperture-enhanced signal-to-noise ratio in fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

The fluorescence enhancement found in gold nanoapertures is demonstrated to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). Starting from a general discussion on noise in FCS experiments, we show that fluorescence enhancement leads to a dramatic increase in the SNR. This prediction is confirmed by experiments where we report an experimental gain in SNR of about 1 order of magnitude, corresponding to a 100-fold reduction of the experiment duration. This technique is then applied to monitor the kinetics of a fast enzymatic cleavage reaction. This set of experiments evidence the feasibility of FCS analysis with fast integration times of about 1 s, opening the way to the monitoring of a variety of biochemical reactions at reduced time scales.

EcoR124I: from plasmid-encoded restriction-modification system to nanodevice

SUMMARY

Plasmid R124 was first described in 1972 as being a new member of incompatibility group IncFIV, yet early physical investigations of plasmid DNA showed that this type of classification was more complex than first imagined. Throughout the history of the study of this plasmid, there have been many unexpected observations. Therefore, in this review, we describe the history of our understanding of this plasmid and the type I restriction-modification (R-M) system that it encodes, which will allow an opportunity to correct errors, or misunderstandings, that have arisen in the literature. We also describe the characterization of the R-M enzyme EcoR124I and describe the unusual properties of both type I R-M enzymes and EcoR124I in particular. As we approached the 21st century, we began to see the potential of the EcoR124I R-M enzyme as a useful molecular motor, and this leads to a description of recent work that has shown that the R-M enzyme can be used as a nanoactuator. Therefore, this is a history that takes us from a plasmid isolated from (presumably) an infected source to the potential use of the plasmid-encoded R-M enzyme in bionanotechnology.

Effect of Plasmid Copy Number and lac Operator Sequence on Antibiotic-Free Plasmid Selection by Operator-Repressor Titration in Escherichia coli

The Escherichia coli strain DH1lacdapD enables plasmid selection and maintenance that is free from antibiotics and selectable marker genes. This is achieved by using only the lac operator sequence as a selectable element. This strain is currently used to generate high copy number plasmids with no antibiotic resistance genes for use as DNA vaccines and for expression of recombinant proteins. Until now these have been limited to pUC-based plasmids containing a high copy number pMB1-derived origin of replication, and the principle lacO(1) and auxiliary lacO(3) operators. In this study we have shown that this system can also be used to select and maintain pBR322-based plasmids with the lower copy number pMB1 origin of replication, and that lacO(1) alone or a palindromic version of lacO(1) can provide a sufficient level of repressor titration for plasmid selection. This is advantageous for recombinant protein production, where low copy number plasmids are often used and plasmid maintenance is important. The degree of repressor titration due to these plasmids was measured using the natural lactose operon in E. coli DH1 as a model.

Characterization of pEC156, a ColE1-type plasmid from Escherichia coli E1585-68 that carries genes of the EcoVIII restriction-modification system

The complete 4312-bp sequence of the pEC156 plasmid from Escherichia coli E1585-68, which carries genes encoding the EcoVIII restriction-modification (R-M) system, an isoschizomer of HindIII from Haemophilus influenzae, has been determined. Two clustered and convergently oriented open reading frames, large enough to encode genes of the EcoVIII R-M system, were found. The transcriptional start points were mapped by the primer extension method. The relative molecular masses of the EcoVIII endonuclease and EcoVIII methyltransferase deduced from the nucleotide sequence are 35,554 and 33,910, respectively. Nucleotide sequence analysis of pEC156 suggests that this plasmid is a ColE1-type replicon. It consists of an origin of replication and two untranslated genes encoding RNA I and RNA II, both involved in the regulation of plasmid DNA replication. The replication region also contains the gene encoding a 64-aa Rom-like protein. Inactivation of the putative rom gene by insertion of a kanamycin-resistance cassette resulted in 4.5-fold increase in pEC156-derived plasmid copy number in E. coli cells. All of these elements (RNA I, RNA II, and rom) reveal a high level of similarity to ColE1 homologs. The replication of all ColE1-type plasmids is dependent on the activity of E. coli DNA polymerase I. It was shown that a pEC156 derivative (pIB8) carrying an antibiotic resistance gene indeed failed to replicate in an E. coli polA12(ts) mutant at 43 degrees C, and its copy number was reduced in the E. coli pcnB80 mutant. These results prove that pEC156 is a ColE1-type replicon.

Characterization of the Pac25I restriction-modification genes isolated from the endogenous pRA2 plasmid of Pseudomonas alcaligenes NCIB 9867

Genes for the class II Pseudomonas alcaligenes NCIB 9867 restriction-modification (R-M) system, Pac25I, have been cloned from its 33-kb endogenous plasmid, pRA2. The Pac25I endonuclease and methylase genes were found to be aligned in a head-to-tail orientation with the methylase gene preceding and overlapping the endonuclease gene by 1 bp. The deduced amino acid sequence of the Pac25I methylase revealed significant similarity with the XcyI, XmaI, Cfr9I, and SmaI methylases. High sequence similarity was displayed between the Pac25I endonuclease and the XcyI, XmaI, and Cfr9I endonucleases which cleave between the external cytosines of the recognition sequence (i.e., 5'-C CCGGG-3') and are thus perfect isoschizomers. However, no sequence similarity was detected between the Pac25I endonuclease and the SmaI endonuclease which cleaves between the internal CpG of the recognition sequence (i.e., 5'-CCCGGG-3'). Both the Pac25I methylase and endonuclease were expressed in Escherichia coli. An open reading frame encoding a protein which shows significant similarity to invertases and resolvases was located immediately upstream of the Pac25I R-M operon. In addition, a transposon designated Tn5563 was located 1531 bp downstream of the R-M genes. The location on a self-transmissible plasmid as well as the close association with genes involved in DNA mobility suggests horizontal transfer as a possible mode of distribution of this family of R-M genes in various bacteria.

Specific binding of sso II DNA methyltransferase to its promoter region provides the regulation of sso II restriction-modification gene expression

The regulation of the Sso II restriction-modification system from Shigella sonnei was studied in vivo and in vitro . In lacZ fusion experiments, Sso II methyltransferase (M. Sso II) was found to repress its own synthesis but stimulate expression of the cognate restriction endonuclease (ENase). The N-terminal 72 amino acids of M. Sso II, predicted to form a helix-turn-helix (HTH) motif, was found to be responsible for the specific DNA-binding and regulatory function of M. Sso II. Similar HTH motifs are predicted in the N-terminus of a number of 5-methylcytosine methyltransferases, particularly M. Eco RII, M.dcm and M. Msp I, of which the ability to regulate autogenously has been proposed. In vitro, the binding of M. Sso II to its target DNA was investigated using a mobility shift assay. M. Sso II forms a specific and stable complex with a 140 bp DNA fragment containing the promoter region of Sso II R-M system. The dissociation constant (Kd) was determined to be 1.5x10(-8) M. DNaseI footprinting experiments demonstrated that M. Sso II protects a 48-52 bp region immediately upstream of the M. Sso II coding sequence which includes the predicted -10 promoter sequence of M. Sso II and the -10 and -35 sequences of R. Sso II.

Overproduction of DNA cytosine methyltransferases causes methylation and C --> T mutations at non-canonical sites

Multicopy clones of Escherichia coli cytosine methyltransferases Dcm and EcoRII methylase (M. EcoRII) cause an approximately 50-fold increase in C --> T mutations at their canonical site of methylation, 5'-CmeCAGG (meC is 5-methylcytosine). These plasmids also cause transition mutations at the second cytosine in the sequences CCGGG at approximately 10-fold lower frequency. Similarly, M. HpaII was found to cause a significant increase in C --> T mutations at a CCAG site, in addition to causing mutations at its canonical site of methylation, CCGG. Using a plasmid that substantially overproduces M. EcoRII, in vivo methylation at CCSGG (S is C or G) and other non-canonical sites could be detected using a gel electrophoretic assay. There is a direct correlation between the level of M. EcoRII activity in cells, the extent of methylation at non-canonical sites and frequency of mutations at these same sites. Overproduction of M. EcoRII in cells also causes degradation of DNA and induction of the SOS response. In vitro, M. EcoRII methylates an oligonucleotide duplex containing a CCGGG site at a slow rate, suggesting that overproduction of the enzyme is essential for significant amounts of such methylation to occur. Together these results show that cytosine methyltransferases occasionally methylate cellular DNA at non-canonical sites and suggest that in E. coli, methylation-specific restriction systems and sequence specificity of the DNA mismatch correction systems may have evolved to accommodate this fact. These results also suggest that mutational effects of cytosine methyltransferases may be much broader than previously imagined.

Identification of a methyl-specific restriction system mediated by a conjugative element from Streptomyces bambergiensis

pBL2 was identified genetically but not physically in Streptomyces lividans after its mating with S. bambergiensis. During conjugation, pBL2 was transferred at high frequency to S. lividans and S. coelicolor. pBL2.1 DNA isolated from S. coelicolor exconjugants as a circular plasmid was shown to derive from the genome of S. bambergiensis. S. lividans carrying pBL2 or pBL2.1 acquired a methyl-specific restriction (MsrA+) phenotype. The corresponding enzyme was partially purified and shown to resemble a class II endonuclease which cleaves Dam-methylated DNA preferentially.

Effect of site-specific modification on restriction endonucleases and DNA modification methyltransferases

Restriction endonucleases have site-specific interactions with DNA that can often be inhibited by site-specific DNA methylation and other site-specific DNA modifications. However, such inhibition cannot generally be predicted. The empirically acquired data on these effects are tabulated for over 320 restriction endonucleases. In addition, a table of known site-specific DNA modification methyltransferases and their specificities is presented along with EMBL database accession numbers for cloned genes.

Biology of DNA restriction

Our understanding of the evolution of DNA restriction and modification systems, the control of the expression of the structural genes for the enzymes, and the importance of DNA restriction in the cellular economy has advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years. This review documents these advances for the three major classes of classical restriction and modification systems, describes the discovery of a new class of restriction systems that specifically cut DNA carrying the modification signature of foreign cells, and deals with the mechanisms developed by phages to avoid the restriction systems of their hosts.

How the EcoRI endonuclease recognizes and cleaves DNA

One popular recombinant DNA tool is the EcoRI endonuclease, which cleaves DNA at GAATTC sites and serves as a paradigm for sequence specific DNA-enzyme interactions. The recently revised X-ray crystal structure of an EcoRI-DNA complex reveals EcoRI employs novel DNA recognition motifs, a four alpha-helix bundle and two extended chains, which project into the major groove to contact substrate purines and pyrimidines. Interestingly, pyrimidine contacts had been predicted based on genetic and biochemical studies. Current work focuses on the EcoRI active site structure, enzyme and substrate conformational changes during catalysis, and host-restriction system interactions.

Mutations that confer de novo activity upon a maintenance methyltransferase

DNA methyltransferases are not only sequence specific in their action, but they also differentiate between the alternative methylation states of a target site. Some methyltransferases are equally active on either unmethylated or hemimethylated DNA and consequently function as de novo methyltransferases. Others are specific for hemimethylated target sequences, consistent with the postulated role of a maintenance methyltransferase in perpetuating a pattern of DNA modification. The molecular basis for the difference between de novo and maintenance methyltransferase activity is unknown, yet fundamental to cellular activities that are affected by different methylation states of the genome. The methyltransferase activity of the type I restriction and modification system, EcoK, is the only known prokaryotic methyltransferase shown to be specific for hemimethylated target sequences. We have isolated mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 which are able to modify unmethylated target sequences efficiently in a manner indicative of de novo methyltransferase activity. Consistent with this change in specificity, some mutations shift the balance between DNA restriction and modification as if both activities now compete at unmethylated targets. Two genes encode the methyltransferase and all the mutations are loosely clustered within one of them.

Cloning and characterization of the dcm locus of Escherichia coli K-12

The dcm locus of Escherichia coli K-12 has been shown to code for a methylase that methylates the second cytosine within the sequence 5'-CC(A/T)GG-3'. This sequence is also recognized by the EcoRII restriction-modification system coded by the E. coli plasmid N3. The methylase within the EcoRII system methylates the same cytosine as the dcm protein. We have isolated, from a library of E. coli K-12 DNA, two overlapping clones that carry the dcm locus. We show that the two clones carry overlapping sequences that are present in a dcm+ strain, but are absent in a delta dcm strain. We also show that the cloned gene codes for a methylase, that it complements mutations in the EcoRII methylase, and that it protects EcoRII recognition sites from cleavage by the EcoRII endonuclease. We found no phage restriction activity associated with the dcm clones.

Occurrence of small Hsd plasmids in Salmonella typhi, Shigella boydii, and Escherichia coli

The natural occurrence of small Hsd (host specificity for DNA) plasmids was demonstrated in restriction endonuclease-producing strains of Salmonella typhi, Shigella boydii, and Escherichia coli. The five Hsd plasmids isolated were between 5.0 and 12.2 kilobases long. The copy number of all the Hsd plasmids was high (more than 10 copies per cell). Introduction of these small plasmids into E. coli strain 0 drastically lowered the efficiency of plating of the lambda.0 phages (the efficiency of plating was less than 5 X 10(-5) PFU-1). High restriction endonuclease activities were detected in the Hsd plasmid-positive strains because of the elevated copy numbers of the hsdR+ gene. The advantages of using E. coli strains containing the small Hsd plasmids for purification of type II restriction endonucleases are discussed.

Specificity of restriction endonucleases and methylases--a review

The properties and sources of all known restriction endonucleases and methylases are listed. The enzymes are cross-indexed (Table I), classified according to their recognition sequence homologies (Table II), and characterized within Table II by the cleavage and methylation positions, the number of recognition sites on the double-stranded DNA of the bacteriophages lambda, phi X174 and M13mp7, the viruses Ad2 and SV40, the plasmids pBR322 and pBR328, and the microorganisms from which they originate. Other tabulated properties of the restriction endonucleases include relaxed specificities (integrated into Table II), the structure of the generated fragment ends (Table III), and the sensitivity to different kinds of DNA methylation (Table V). In Table IV the conversion of two- and four-base 5'-protruding ends into new recognition sequences is compiled which is obtained by the fill-in reaction with Klenow fragment of the Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I or additional nuclease S1 treatment followed by ligation of the modified fragment termini [P3]. Interconversion of restriction sites generates novel cloning sites without the need of linkers. This should improve the flexibility of genetic engineering experiments. Table VI classifies the restriction methylases according to the nature of the methylated base(s) within their recognition sequences. This table also comprises restriction endonucleases which are known to be inhibited or activated by the modified nucleotides. The detailed sequences of those overlapping restriction sites are also included which become resistant to cleavage after the sequential action of corresponding restriction methylases and endonucleases [N11, M21]. By this approach large DNA fragments can be generated which is helpful in the construction of genomic libraries. The data given in both Tables IV and VI allow the design of novel sequence specificities. These procedures complement the creation of universal cleavage specificities applying class IIS enzymes and bivalent DNA adapter molecules [P17, S82].

Purification of a new restriction endonuclease, StyI, from Escherichia coli carrying the hsd+ miniplasmid

A new restriction endonuclease, StyI, free of contaminating nuclease activities, has been isolated from Escherichia coli carrying the hsd+ miniplasmid of Salmonella typhi origin. In the presence of 10 mM Mg2+, it recognizes and cleaves a hexanucleotide sequence of 5'-C decreases C(AT)(AT)GG. The advantages of the StyI endonuclease include its stability, high yield (more than 2 X 10(3) units/g of wet cells), easy handling of producer cells, and the ability to recognize new sequences, CCAAGG and CCTTGG.

Recognition sequences of restriction endonucleases and methylases--a review

The properties and sources of all known endonucleases and methylases acting site-specifically on DNA are listed. The enzymes are crossindexed (Table I), classified according to homologies within their recognition sequences (Table II), and characterized within Table II by the cleavage and methylation positions, the number of recognition sites on the DNA of the bacteriophages lambda, phi X174 and M13mp7, the viruses Ad2 and SV40, the plasmids pBR322 and pBR328 and the microorganisms from which they originate. Other tabulated properties of the restriction endonucleases include relaxed specificities (Table III), the structure of the restriction fragment ends (Table IV), and the sensitivity to different kinds of DNA methylation (Table V). Table VI classifies the methylases according to the nature of the methylated base(s) within their recognition sequences. This table also comprises those restriction endonucleases, which are known to be inhibited by the modified nucleotides. Furthermore, this review includes a restriction map of bacteriophage lambda DNA based on sequence data. Table VII lists the exact nucleotide positions of the cleavage sites, the length of the generated fragments ordered according to size, and the effects of the Escherichia coli dam- and dcmI-coded methylases M X Eco dam and M X Eco dcmI on the particular recognition sites.

Modification profiles of bacterial genomes

DNAs were prepared from twenty-six bacterial species and digested with a variety of restriction endonucleases to determine what modifications the DNAs carry. Several general conclusions could be made: 1) First, in no instance was the DNA of a restriction enzyme. 2) The specificity of the DNA modification was the same as that of its restriction counterpart; there were no cases of the DNAs being modified against a less specific class of restriction enzymes. 3) In most (but not all) cases, the resistance of a bacterium's DNA to its own restriction enzyme could be generalized to include resistance to all other restriction enzymes with the same specificity (isoschizomers). 4) DNA modified within the central tetramer of a recognition sequence is usually protected against cleavage by all related hexameric enzymes possessing that central tetramer. Only three families of DNA presented in this study disobey this rule. 5) Finally, a significant number of cases emerge where bacterial DNA carries a modification but no corresponding restriction endonuclease activity.

Phasmids: hybrids between ColE1 plasmids and E. coli bacteriophage lambda

Plasmids carrying cloned lambda att sites may be integrated into the bacteriophage genome by the site-specific recombination mechanism of lambda. The cross, referred to as "lifting" the plasmid, requires mixed infection of an Escherichia coli strain carrying the plasmid with two appropriately constructed "lifting" lambda phages. One phage donates a short left arm and the other donates a short right arm. These two short arms are of insufficient length to produce a viable phage genome and yield no recombinants when crossed on standard bacteria. However, viable recombinants are obtained when the genome length is extended by integration of one or more plasmids. We call these recombinants phasmids. They contain multiple att sites introduced at the ends of the integrated plasmids, and in the presence of integrase, recombination between these att sites can be exploited to effect release of the plasmid components. These novel genetic elements can be used in a variety of ways as vectors in genetic manipulation experiments. Sequences cloned in phasmids may be studied as a component of either a plasmid and or of a phage, and easily interconverted between the two states.

Enhanced expression of a distinct plastid DNA region in mustard seedlings by continuous far-red light

Fragments of chloroplast DNA from mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedlings, generated by the restriction endonuclease Eco RI, were used to assess the frequency of complementary sequences in mustard RNA by DNA/RNA hybridization. A pronounced increase in hybridization to a single DNA fragment was found with RNA from seedlings irradiated with continuous far-red light, compared to RNA from dark-grown seedlings.

Plasmid control of recombination of E. coli K12

The recombination proficiency of three recipient strains of Escherichia coli K12 carrying different plasmids was investigated by conjugal mating with Hfr Cavalli. Some plasmids (e.g. R1drd 19, R6K) caused a marked reduction in the yield of recombinants formed in crosses with Hfr but did not reduce the ability of host strains to accept plasmid F104. The effect of plasmids on recombination was host-dependent. In Hfr crosses with AB1157 (R1-19) used as a recipient the linkage between selected and unselected proximal markers of the donor was sharply decreased. Plasmid R1-19 also decreased the yield of recombinants formed by recF, recL, and recB recC sbcA mutants, showed no effect on the recombination proficiency of recB recC sbcB mutant, and increased the recombination proficiency of recB, recB recC sbcB recF, and recB recC sbcB recL mutants. An ATP-dependent exonuclease activity was found in all tested recB recC mutants carrying plasmid R1-19, while this plasmid did not affect the activity of exonuclease I in strain AB1157 and its rec- derivatives. The same plasmid was also found to protect different rec- derivatives of the strain AB1157 against the lethal action of UV light. We suppose that a new ATP-dependent exonuclease determined by R1-19 plays a role in both repair and recombination of the host through the substitution of or competition with the exoV coded for by the genes recB and recC.

DNA protection with the DNA methylase M . BbvI from Bacillus brevis var. GB against cleavage by the restriction endonucleases PstI and PvuII

BamHI fragments of the Bacillus brevis var. GB plasmid pAD1 have been cloned in Escherichia coli HB101 using pBR322 plasmid as a vector. The analysis of the recombinant plasmids showed that additional PstI sites had appeared in cloned fragments of pAD1. Methylation of the recombinant plasmids in vitro by enzymes from B. brevis GB cells blocks cleavage at these additional PstI sites of cloned pAD1 fragments and at the PstI site of pBR322. Among DNA methylases of B. brevis GB, the cytosine DNA methylase M . BbvI is the most likely agent modifying the recognition sequences of PstI. The methylase can modify cytosine residues in PstI or PvuII sites if these recognition sequences are linked to G at 5'- or to C at 3'-termini. In particular, in vitro methylation of the SV40 DNA by B. brevis GB methylases protects one of the two PstI sites and two of the three PvuII sites. The described effect of the protection of the specific PstI and PvuII sites may be used for physical mapping of genomes and DNA cloning.

Isolation and characterization of lambda b221poriCasnA, a plaque-forming specialized transducing phage carrying the origin of replication of the Escherichia coli chromosome

A specialized transducing phage lambda b221poriCasnA has been isolated carrying oriC the origin of chromosomal replication of Escherichia coli. All phage genes required for lytic growth are retained, thus the phage is capable of lytic growth. The presence of the oriC locus confers upon infecting phage DNA the ability to replicate as a plasmid using only host DNA replication functions. The presence of both oriC and ansA markers has allowed the development of a plaque assay for origin function which can be used to identify mutants at these loci. Comparison of restriction endonuclease cleavage sites present on lambda b221proiCasnA DNA to those on its parent, lambda b221 rex::Tn10 suggests the steps involved in the formation of the transducing phage.

In vivo methylation of bacteriophage phi X174 DNA

A mutant (designated mec(-)) has been isolated from Escherichia coli C which has lost DNA-cytosine methylase activity and the ability to protect phage lambda against in vivo restriction by the RII endonuclease. This situation is analogous to that observed with an E. coli K-12 mec(-) mutant; thus, the E. coli C methylase appears to have overlapping sequence specificity with the K-12 and RII enzymes; (the latter methylases have been shown previously to recognize the same sequence). Covalently closed, supertwisted double-standed DNA (RFI) was isolated from C mec(+) and C mec(-) cells infected with bacteriophage phiX174. phiX. mec(-) RFI is sensitive to in vitro cleavage by R.EcoRII and is cut twice to produce two fragments of almost equal size. In contrast, phiX.mec(+) RFI is relatively resistant to in vitro cleavage by R.EcoRII. R.BstI, which cleaves mec(+)/RII sites independent of the presence or absence of 5-methylcytosine, cleaves both forms of the RFI and produces two fragments similar in size to those observed with R. EcoRII. These results demonstrate that phiX.mec(+) RFI is methylated in vivo by the host mec(+) enzyme and that this methylation protects the DNA against cleavage by R.EcoRII. This is consistent with the known location of two mec(+)/ RII sequences (viz., [Formula: see text]) on the phiX174 map. Mature singlestranded virion DNA was isolated from phiX174 propagated in C mec(+) or C mec(-) in the presence of l-[methyl-(3)H]methionine. Paper chromatographic analyses of acid hydrolysates revealed that phiX.mec(+) DNA had a 10-fold-higher ratio of [(3)H]5-methylcytosine to [(3)H]cytosine compared to phiX.mec(-). Since phiX.mec(+) contains, on the average, approximately 1 5-methylcytosine residue per viral DNA, we conclude that methylation of phiX174 is mediated by the host mec(+) enzyme only. These results are not consistent with the conclusions of previous reports that phiX174 methylation is mediated by a phage-induced enzyme and that methylation is essential for normal phage development.

Bacteriophage lambda-E. coli K12 vector-host system for gene cloning and expression under lactose promoter control: I. DNA fragment insertion at the lacZ EcoRI restriction site

Bacteriophage lambda vectors, derived from lambda plac5 were constructed. Their genomes have only one EcoRI restriction site, located near the end of the beta-galactosidase gene. Recombinants, constructed in vitro, having a DNA fragment inserted in the EcoRI site, are lac- and can be easily recognized. Expression of such foreign genes is then under the control of the lac promoter. Mutations Qam73 and Sam7 greatly increase the amount of beta-galactosidase synthesized by the vector bacteriophage. The lambda ZEQS vector has been certified B2 (EK2) by the French control commission "Recombinaisons génétiques in vitro".

Restriction insensitivity in bacteriophage T5 I. Genetic characterization of mutants sensitive to EcoRI restriction

Unmodified bacteriophage T5 is able to grow normally on bacterial hosts carrying three different Escherichia coli restriction systems, EcoK, EcoPI, and EcoRI. Under the same conditions, the plating efficiency of bacteriophage gamma is less than 10(-9). At least in the case of EcoRI, this lack of in vivo restriction is not due to lack of restriction sites on the T5 DNA molecule. These observations suggest that bacteriophage T5 specifies one or more restriction protection systems. Mutants (ris) of T5 have been isolated which confer sensitivity to EcoRI restriction but not to EcoK or EcoPI. The mutations are located in the pre-early region of the genetic map but are too far apart to be alleles of a single gene. Complementation studies show that the ris mutants can be helped to grow on the EcoRI-restricting host by coinfection with T5+. This result provides evidence for a restriction protection function but does not necessarily show that the ris mutants are defective in such a system.