Characterization of BisI Homologs.

BisI is a sequence-specific and 5-methylcytosine (m5C)-dependent restriction endonuclease (REase), that cleaves the modified DNA sequence Gm5CNGC (G indicates that the cytosine opposite to G is modified). We expressed and purified a number of BisI homologs from sequenced bacterial genomes and used Illumina sequencing to determine the Pam7902I (Esp638I-like) cleavage sites in phage Xp12 DNA. One BisI homolog KpnW2I is EcoBLMcrX-like, cleaving GCNGC/RCNGY/RCNRC sites with m5C. We also cloned and expressed three BisI homologs from metagenome sequences derived from thermophilic sources. One enzyme EsaTMI is active at 37 to 65°C. EsaHLI cleaves GCNGC sites with three to four m5C and is active up to 50°C. In addition, we determined the number and position of m5C in BisI sites for efficient cleavage. BisI cleavage efficiency of GCNGC site is as following: Gm5CNGC (two internal m5C) > Gm5CNGC (one internal m5C) > GCNGm5C (one external m5C) > > GCNGC (unmodified). Three or four m5C in GCNGC site also supports BisI cleavage although partial inhibition was observed on duplex oligos with four m5C. BisI can be used to partially cleave a desired GCNGC site targeted with a complementary oligonucleotide (hemi-methylated). The m5C-dependent BisI variants will be useful for epigenetic research.

Expression and purification of the modification-dependent restriction enzyme BisI and its homologous enzymes.

The methylation-dependent restriction endonuclease (REase) BisI (G(m5)C ↓ NGC) is found in Bacillus subtilis T30. We expressed and purified the BisI endonuclease and 34 BisI homologs identified in bacterial genomes. 23 of these BisI homologs are active based on digestion of (m5)C-modified substrates. Two major specificities were found among these BisI family enzymes: Group I enzymes cut GCNGC containing two to four (m5)C in the two strands, or hemi-methylated sites containing two (m5)C in one strand; Group II enzymes only cut GCNGC sites containing three to four (m5)C, while one enzyme requires all four cytosines to be modified for cleavage. Another homolog, Esp638I cleaves GCS ↓ SGC (relaxed specificity RCN ↓ NGY, containing at least four (m5)C). Two BisI homologs show degenerate specificity cleaving unmodified DNA. Many homologs are small proteins ranging from 150 to 190 amino acid (aa) residues, but some homologs associated with mobile genetic elements are larger and contain an extra C-terminal domain. More than 156 BisI homologs are found in >60 bacterial genera, indicating that these enzymes are widespread in bacteria. They may play an important biological function in restricting pre-modified phage DNA.

GlaI digestion of mouse gamma-satellite DNA: study of primary structure and ACGT sites methylation.

BACKGROUND: Patterns of mouse DNA hydrolysis with restriction enzymes are coincided with calculated diagrams of genomic DNA digestion in silico, except presence of additional bright bands, which correspond to monomer and dimer of gamma-satellite DNA. Only small portion of mouse gamma-satellite DNA sequences are presented in databases. Methyl-directed endonuclease GlaI cleaves mouse DNA and may be useful for a detailed study of primary structure and CG dinucleotides methylation in gamma-satellite DNA. RESULTS: We have constructed a physical map and produced experimental patterns of mouse gamma-satellite DNA hydrolysis with unique site-specific methyl-directed endonuclease GlaI and several restriction endonucleases. Fifty two DNA fragments of gamma-satellite DNA have been cloned and sequenced. We have not observed any mutations of CG dinucleotide in position 208 of monomeric gamma-satellite DNA and confirmed 50% methylation of this CG dinucleoitide. A comparison of consensus sequences of arrayed gamma-satellite DNA and small blocks of satellite DNA (140 monomers and less) has shown a higher level of mutations and an absence of conserved CG dinucleotide in last ones. A replacement of CG dinucleotide by CA-dinucleotide in positions 178 and 17 in chromosomes 9 and 3, respectively, has been observed in blocks of monomers. CONCLUSION: Arrayed gamma-satellite DNA from mouse has at least one conservative CG-dinucleotide. Consensus sequences of this DNA and gamma-satellite DNA in small blocks of monomers are differing. The last one displays a higher level of CG dinucleotides mutations and an absence of conservative CG-dinucleotide. Presence of conservative and half-methylated CG-dinucleotide supports an idea of importance of this CG dinucleotide methylation/demethylation in arrayed gamma-satellite DNA functioning.

A physical map of human Alu repeats cleavage by restriction endonucleases.

BACKGROUND: Alu repetitive elements are the abundant sequences in human genome. Diversity of DNA sequences of these elements makes difficult the construction of theoretical patterns of Alu repeats cleavage by restriction endonucleases. We have proposed a method of restriction analysis of Alu repeats sequences in silico. RESULTS: Simple software to analyze Alu repeats database has been suggested and Alu repeats digestion patterns for several restriction enzymes' recognition sites have been constructed. Restriction maps of Alu repeats cleavage for corresponding restriction enzymes have been calculated and plotted. Theoretical data have been compared with experimental results on DNA hydrolysis with restriction enzymes, which we obtained earlier. CONCLUSION: Alu repeats digestions provide the main contribution to the patterns of human chromosomal DNA cleavage. This corresponds to the experimental data on total human DNA hydrolysis with restriction enzymes.

A nomenclature for restriction enzymes, DNA methyltransferases, homing endonucleases and their genes.

A nomenclature is described for restriction endonucleases, DNA methyltransferases, homing endonucleases and related genes and gene products. It provides explicit categories for the many different Type II enzymes now identified and provides a system for naming the putative genes found by sequence analysis of microbial genomes.