single-stranded DNA endodeoxyribonuclease activity

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Catalysis of the hydrolysis of ester linkages within a single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid molecule by creating internal breaks. [GOC:mah]

Single-stranded DNA endodeoxyribonuclease activity refers to the enzymatic ability to cleave phosphodiester bonds within a single-stranded DNA molecule. This activity is crucial for various cellular processes, including DNA repair, replication, and recombination. Enzymes possessing this activity, often termed exonucleases, typically operate by progressively removing nucleotides from the end of a single-stranded DNA molecule. They can be further categorized based on their directionality, with 5'-to-3' exonucleases removing nucleotides from the 5' end and 3'-to-5' exonucleases removing nucleotides from the 3' end. The specific mechanisms employed by these enzymes may involve different catalytic strategies, but they ultimately lead to the hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bond, resulting in the release of a free nucleotide and a shortened single-stranded DNA molecule. This precise removal of nucleotides plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the genome by eliminating damaged or mismatched DNA segments, ensuring the accurate replication of DNA, and facilitating the proper recombination of DNA strands during processes like homologous recombination.'
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Proteins (3)

Compounds (3)