Purification and characterization of the FokI restriction endonuclease.

The restriction endonuclease FokI from Flavobacterium okeanokoites was purified to homogeneity. Based on gel filtration, sedimentation and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, the following properties of the enzyme were determined: FokI exists in one active monomeric form, and has an Mr of 64-65.4 x 10(3).FokI is a strongly basic protein with an isoelectric point of 9.4. The enzyme exhibits restriction activity in the pH range 5.0 to 10.5 (maximum level at pH 7.0-8.5) and its divalent cation requirement is satisfied not only by Mg2+, but also by Co2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ and Fe2+.