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. 1990 Aug 11;18(15):4377–4384. doi: 10.1093/nar/18.15.4377

Specificity of binding to four-way junctions in DNA by bacteriophage T7 endonuclease I.

C A Parsons 1, S C West 1
PMCID: PMC331254  PMID: 2167465

Abstract

T7 endonuclease I binds specifically to four-way junctions in duplex DNA and promotes their resolution into linear duplexes. Under conditions in which the nuclease activity is blocked by the absence of divalent cations, the enzyme forms a distinct protein-DNA complex with the junction, as detected by gel retardation and filter binding assays. The formation of this complex is structure-specific and contrasts with the short-lived binding complexes formed on linear duplex DNA. The binding complex between T7 endonuclease I and a synthetic Holliday junction analog has been probed with hydroxyl radicals. The results indicate that the nuclease binds all four strands about the junction point.

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