An ATP-dependent deoxyribonuclease from Escherichia coli with a possible role in genetic recombination

A DNase which requires ATP for its function was purified from E. coli and some of the characteristics of the purified enzyme were studied. This enzyme activity could not be detected in certain (recB and recC) recombination deficient mutant strains. The possible role of the enzyme in genetic recombination is discussed.