Definition of Dnase



Deoxyribonuclease is an enzyme that serves the purpose of catalyzing the cleavage of the phosphodiester bonds that are present in the backbone of DNA molecule. Thus, DNase is responsible for degrading the structure of the DNA. A number of different DNases are present which perform their functions on the basis of the substrate specificities, biological functions and chemical pathways.

 


There are some DNases which cleave only the ends of DNA molecule and hence are termed as exodeoxyribonucleases and those who cut the chain from anywhere are known as endodeoxyribonucleases. The DNases are also specific for the double and single-stranded DNA molecules.

 

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