[The physicochemical properties of the DNAse of Mycoplasma fermentans PG-18].

Physical and chemical properties, as well as polypeptide structure of DNAse from Mycoplasma fermentans PG-18, have been determined. The enzyme in a native form exists probably as a decamere (10X34 kD) and manifests maximal activity at weak alkaline pH range. The temperature optimum of the enzyme is --37 degrees C. DNAse appears to be Mg2+-dependent and has its maximal activity at 10 mM MgCl2. EDTA completely inhibits DNAse activity. The given DNAse has been determined to cleave a phosphodiether bond in 3'-position of deoxyribose and to have both exo- and endonuclease activity, since it has hydrolized both native linear doublestranded DNA and closed-circle plasmid DNA.