Nucleases

Nucleases are enzymes that cut DNA or RNA, either by hydrolyzing the phosphodiester bonds between the nucleotide subunits (endonucleases), or by breaking the phosphodiester bonds at the end of a nucleotide chain (exonucleases).

Types of Nucleases

There are two main types of nucleases: endonucleases and exonucleases.

Endonucleases

Endonucleases are enzymes that cleave the phosphodiester bond within a polynucleotide chain. Some, such as the restriction enzymes, cut at specific sequences, while others, like DNase I, cut almost at random.

Exonucleases

Exonucleases are enzymes that work by cleaving nucleotides one at a time from the end (exo) of a polynucleotide chain. A hydrolyzing reaction that breaks a phosphodiester bond at either the 3’ or the 5’ end occurs.

Function

Nucleases play an essential role in many biological processes, including DNA replication, DNA repair, and apoptosis. They are also used in molecular biology, biotechnology, and genetic engineering to manipulate DNA sequences.

See Also

• DNA replication
• DNA repair
• Apoptosis
• Molecular biology
• Biotechnology
• Genetic engineering

References

Nucleases Resources
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