Among all restriction endonucleases known to date, BfiI is unique in cleaving DNA in the absence of metal ions. BfiI represents a different evolutionary lineage of restriction enzymes, as shown by its crystal structure at 1.9-A resolution. The protein consists of two structural domains. The N-terminal catalytic domain is similar to Nuc, an EDTA-resistant nuclease from the phospholipase D superf...

Several type II restriction-modification gene complexes can force their maintenance on their host bacteria by killing cells that have lost them in a process called postsegregational killing or genetic addiction. It is likely to proceed by dilution of the modification enzyme molecule during rounds of cell division following the gene loss, which exposes unmethylated recognition sites on the newly...

In this paper we report on changes in DNA methylation pattern in rape apices and leaves during transition from vegetative to reproductive stage due to grafting and/or vernalization. Grafted plants of winter rape (Brassica napus L., var. "Górczański") (stock from vernalized, scion from non-vernalized plants) were used together with vernalized non-grafted plants. In addition, methylation status w...

Twenty-two infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) strains were examined using the reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction-restriction endonuclease (RT/PCR-RE) assay. A 394-bp fragment of the VP2 gene was amplified and tested for six different restriction enzyme sites. Although the EcoRII enzyme was used in previous RT/PCR-RE assays, results obtained using the isoschizomer BstNI were mor...