Exonuclease

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-004217",
  "term": "Exonuclease",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "An enzyme that catalyzes the sequential cleavage of individual nucleotides from a free terminus of a polynucleotide strand. This hydrolytic activity breaks phosphodiester bonds, progressively shortening the DNA or RNA molecule from either its 5' or 3' end. Unlike endonucleases that cut within a nucleic acid chain, exonucleases require an exposed end and participate in cellular processes such as DNA proofreading and repair.",
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2018, 90, 1121. 'Terminology of bioanalytical methods (IUPAC Recommendations 2018)' on page 1146 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2016-1120)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/exonuclease/"
}