The genes encoding SsoI and SsoII restriction endonuclease (ENase) and methyltransferase (MTase) are located on the small plasmids P6 and P4, respectively, of Shigella sonnei strain 47. Functions provided by plasmids P5, P7 and P9, which include colicinogenicity and immunity to colicin E1, resistance to streptomycin (Sm), and conjugative DNA transfer, respectively, have also been identified. The genes of the SsoII restriction-modification (R-M) system have been cloned into Escherichia coli expressing the 35-kDa (ENase) and 43-kDa (MTase) products. A restriction map of the P4 plasmid DNA was determined, and the approximate location of the genes encoding SsoII ENase and MTase (ssoIIR and ssoIIM) on that have been established. SsoI is an isoschisomer of EcoRI and SsoII cleaves the 5'-/CCNGG/recognition sequence producing 5'-protruding 5-nt long cohesive ends.