From Bacillus licheniformis a site-specific restriction endonuclease, named BliI, has been purified and characterized. BliI was able to digest λ DNA at pH 9.1 over a wide temperature range (25–65°C). Digestion of λ and (ϕX174 DNAs with BliI produced banding patterns identical to those seen with HaeIII. Therefore, BliI and HaeIII endonculeases are isoschizomers.