DNAse

DNAse (also known as Deoxyribonuclease) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolytic cleavage of phosphodiester bonds in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This enzyme is essential in the body for the digestion of DNA and the prevention of autoimmune diseases.

Function

DNAse is involved in several important biological processes, including DNA repair, recombination, and the degradation of DNA. It is also used in the laboratory to eliminate DNA contamination in RNA samples.

Types

There are several types of DNAse, including:

• DNAse I - This enzyme cleaves DNA preferentially at phosphodiester linkages adjacent to a pyrimidine nucleotide, yielding 5'-phosphate-terminated polynucleotides with a free hydroxyl group on position 3'. It is used in the laboratory to remove DNA from samples containing RNA.

• DNAse II - This enzyme is an acid DNAse found in the lysosome. It is involved in the degradation of DNA during apoptosis.

Clinical significance

Deficiency of DNAse can lead to the accumulation of DNA in the body, which can trigger an autoimmune response. This is seen in diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues and organs.

See also

• Nuclease
• Endonuclease
• Exonuclease

References

DNAse Resources
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