A uracil-DNA glycosylase (UNG) from a psychrophilic marine bacterium (BMTU 3346) has been purified to apparent homogeneity. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 23 400 Da. It is stable in complex buffers (containing glycerol/BSA), whereas it is heat-labile in dilute buffers (free of stabilizers) with a half-life of 2 min at 40°C. Due to the thermolability, uracil-DNA glycosylase is suitable for application in the carryover prevention technique showing less residual activity and/or a slower reactivation rate than the usually applied UNG from Escherichia coli.
