The organization and complete nucleotide sequence of the PstI restriction-modification system

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of a 4.0-kilobase DNA fragment containing the genes of the PstI restriction-modification system. Two large open reading frames were identified within the sequence and were ascribed to the restriction enzyme and methylase by the analysis of a series of deletion mutants. The two genes are encoded on opposite DNA strands, and hence must be transcribed from separate promoters rather than as a polycistronic message. The sequence of the first 10 amino acids of the restriction endonuclease was determined by sequential Edman degradation of the purified protein, permitting the alignment of the polypeptide with the DNA sequence. The NH2 terminus of the modification enzyme was established by sequential Edman degradation of the protein synthesized in bacterial minicells with different radiolabeled amino acids. The initiation codons of the two genes are separated by 130 base pairs. The deduced amino acid sequences indicate that the restriction endonuclease contains 326 amino acids with a calculated Mr = 37,370; the modification enzyme is composed of 507 amino acids with a calculated Mr = 56,830. There is no significant homology between the two proteins at the level of the primary structure. Antibody raised against the purified restriction endonuclease did not immunoprecipitate the modification enzyme. The transcription initiation sites were mapped using mung bean nuclease. Both of the transcripts begin with adenosine. The initiation sites are separated by only 70 base pairs. This close proximity suggests that the promoters for the two divergent genes overlap. DNase I protection experiments show that Escherichia coli RNA polymerase has a higher affinity for the methylase promoter than for the restriction enzyme promoter.