The activity of DNase from Phyllostachys pubescens shoots may be inhibited by ATP and other adenine nucleotides. The inhibitory degree of these adenine nucleotides is ATP = ADP>AMP>other adenine nucleotides. ATP is a competitive inhibitor of bamboo DNase. Values of 28. 57 μg and 0. 3 μm (173. 67 μg) were obtained for the apparent Km of denatured small bovine thymus DNA and Ki of ATP, respectively. There was an identical inhibitory degree of 0. 5 μmol ATP on the bamboo DNase degrades simple-stranded DNA, double-stranded DNA and yeast RNA at pH 4. 8.