CHARACTERIZATION OF RESTRICTION ENDONUCLE ASES FROM VIBRIO-PARAHAEMOLYTICUS

Forty-six restriction endonuclease (ENase)-positive strains were found among 270 strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus tested. Thirty-six ENase s were purified and 7 different specificities were identified. All are isoschizomers of already-known ENases, i.e., isoschizomers of AvaII, AsuI, PmaCI, PstI, Eco31I, EarI, and SapI. It is noteworthy that the m ajority of V. parahaemolyticus ENases recognize non-palindromic or int errupted palindromic sequences. Specific ENases with the same specific ity were found at a high frequency in some serotypes of V. parahaemoly ticus.