ArdB Protective Activity for Unmodified λ Phage Against EcoKI Restriction Decreases in UV-Treated Escherichia coli

Abstract

Anti-restriction proteins ArdB/KlcA specifically inhibit restriction (endonuclease) activity of restriction-modification (RM) type I systems. Molecular mechanisms of ArdB/KlcA-based anti-restriction remain unknown. In this study, we quantitate effects of ArdB on protection of unmodified λ phage DNA from EcoKI restriction. After UV irradiations, which produce significant amounts of unmodified chromosomal DNA in Escherichia coli K12 cells, the protective activity of ArdB decreases. Unlike ArdB, DNA-mimicking protein Ocr retains its ability to protect the unmodified λ phage regardless of UV dose. We hypothesize that the observed decrease in ArdB protective activity in UV-treated cells is due to its binding to unmodified chromosomal DNA, which decreases effective concentrations of free ArdB molecules available for λ phage protection against type I restriction enzymes.