Which Enzyme Breaks Down Dna?

A deoxyribonuclease

(DNase, for short) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolytic cleavage of phosphodiester linkages in the DNA backbone, thus degrading DNA.

Can DNA be broken down by enzymes?

Certain enzymes, called endonucleases, are attracted to DNA/RNA hybrids that form when gene transcription goes awry — and they cut the DNA like scissors to damage it. The researchers conducted the study with human cells in culture, using molecular biology techniques to turn off specific genes.

What is DNase and why is it considered an inhibitory enzyme?

Deoxyribonucleases (DNases) are a class of enzymes able to catalyze DNA hydrolysis. DNases play important roles in cell function, while DNase inhibitors control or modify their activities.