title: Structural specificities of five commonly used DNA nucleases.
abstract: Five commonly used nucleases were surveyed for their ability to distinguish among several different DNA backbone configurations. The digestion data suggest that: (1) DNAase I binds across the minor groove; whereas (2) nuclease S1 and (3) micrococcal nuclease bind to an exposed single strand; (4) copper/phenanthroline seeks a base-pair step; and (5) DNAase II requires just a stacked single strand of limited exposure. Only micrococcal nuclease is demonstrably base-specific, with a strong preference for T, A over C, G in any structural context.
mesh_terms: D001345:Autoradiography; D001482:Base Composition; D001483:Base Sequence; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology; D019327:Copper Sulfate; D004247:DNA; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases / Q000494:pharmacology; D004720:Endonucleases / Q000494:pharmacology; D008836:Micrococcal Nuclease / Q000494:pharmacology; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D010618:Phenanthrolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D015719:Single-Strand Specific DNA and RNA Endonucleases
chemical_list: D010618:Phenanthrolines; D003300:Copper; D004247:DNA; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases; D004720:Endonucleases; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I; C019329:deoxyribonuclease II; D015719:Single-Strand Specific DNA and RNA Endonucleases; D008836:Micrococcal Nuclease; D019327:Copper Sulfate; C025205:1,10-phenanthroline