DNA‐binding properties and primary structure of HB protein from Bacillus globigii

The binding of Bacillus globigii HB protein to synthetic deoxyoligonucleotides of different length and sequence has been studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Without detectable sequence specificity the protein binds to single‐stranded and double‐stranded DNA. Under the conditions employed, binding of HB protein to deoxyoligonucleotides with six or less nucleotides per strand cannot be detected while eight or more nucleotide units per strand of single‐stranded DNA or base pairs of double‐stranded DNA are sufficient for binding. The complete amino acid sequence of HB protein has been determined by manual Edman degradation of tryptic peptides. Like most DNA‐binding proteins of its class, HB protein does not contain cysteine, tyrosine or tryptophan residues. The primary structure of HB protein shows 84% homology with the sequence of the related DNA‐binding protein II from Bacillus stearothermophilus.