Two plasmid-determined restriction and modification systems in Streptococcus lactis

Two restriction and modification systems were found in Streptococcus lactis strain IL594 which was found to contain 9 plasmids designated pIL1 to pIL9. On the basis of protoplast-induced curing experiments, we showed that a restriction and modification system was related to the presence of pIL6 or pIL7. The pIL6-determined restriction and modification system was confirmed by cotransfer of the plasmid and of the restriction and modification system to a plasmid-free, nonrestricting, and nonmodifying derivative of S. lactis IL594.