[Site-specific endonuclease BspKT8 from the thermophilic strain KT8 of Bacillus species]

A site-specific endonuclease capable of recognizing the sequence 5'-AAGCTT-3' was detected and purified to homogeneity from the thermophilic strain of Bacillus species KT8. The endonuclease has a molecular mass of 34 kDa and is found in solution in a monomeric form. The activity of BspKT8 does not depend on ATP and is not stimulated by S-adenosyl-L-methionine. The enzyme displays the highest activity with a broad range of temperatures (37 degrees-48 degrees C). Since DNA cleavage occurs in accordance with the scheme: [formula: see text] the enzyme can be assigned to the class-II of restriction endonucleases and represents an isoschizomer of HindIII.