Anticancer drugs attacking nucleic acids of the target cells have so far been based on animal or fungal ribonucleases. Plant nucleases have been proved to exhibit decreased cytotoxic side effects. Tomato bifunctional nuclease 1 with activity against both single-stranded and double-stranded RNA and DNA was produced in tobacco leaves as recombinant protein. The enzyme crystallizes under several different crystallization conditions. The presence of Zn(2+) ions was confirmed by X-ray fluorescence. First crystallographic data were obtained.

Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry AS CR v v i Heyrovského nám 2 162 06 Praha 6 Czech Republic

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Phosphate binding in the active centre of tomato multifunctional nuclease TBN1 and analysis of superhelix formation by the enzyme