Structural requirement of four-way junction DNA for binding to and cleavage by RuvC.

Sixteen bimobile four-way junction DNAs were designed to clarify the consensus sequence at the resolution site by the E. coli RuvC protein. The consensus sequence is 5'-T decreases X-3' (X: A, G, C, and T) without exception, but the sequences at the cleaved sites are not necessarily symmetric. The presence of symmetrically located two AT base-pairs at the junction is the minimal requirement for resolution.