LlaAI and LlaBI, two type-II restriction endonucleases from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris W9 and W56 recognizing, respectively, 5'-/GATC-3' and 5'-C/TRYAG-3'.

Two type-II restriction endonucleases have been purified from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris W9 and W56, the strains isolated from a mixed Cheddar starter. Their characterization showed that LlaAI was an isoschizomer of MboI from Morexella bovis with the cleaving sequence, 5'/GATC-3', being sensitive to methylation of the adenine residue; LlaBI was an isoschizomer to SfcI from Streptococcus faceium with the cleaving sequence, 5'-C/TRYAG-3'. Both LlaAI and LlaBI restriction-modification (R-M) systems are encoded by the plasmids, respectively, pFW094 and pJW563, protecting the harboring strain against phage attack.