Deoxyribonuclease I

Deoxyribonuclease I (usually called DNase I), is an is_associated_with::endonuclease coded by the human gene DNASE1. DNase I is a is_associated_with::nuclease that cleaves is_associated_with::DNA preferentially at phosphodiester linkages adjacent to a is_associated_with::pyrimidine is_associated_with::nucleotide, yielding 5'-phosphate-terminated polynucleotides with a free hydroxyl group on position 3', on average producing tetranucleotides. It acts on single-stranded DNA, double-stranded DNA, and is_associated_with::chromatin. In addition to its role as a waste-management is_associated_with::endonuclease, it has been suggested to be one of the is_associated_with::deoxyribonucleases responsible for DNA fragmentation during is_associated_with::apoptosis.

DNase I binds to the cytoskeletal protein is_associated_with::actin. It binds actin monomers with very high (sub-nanomolar) affinity and actin polymers with lower affinity. The function of this interaction is unclear. However, since actin-bound DNase I is enzymatically inactive, the DNase-is_associated_with::actin complex might be a storage form of DNase I that prevents damage of the genetic information.

In genomics
In genomics, DNase I is_associated_with::hypersensitive sites are thought to be characterized by open, accessible chromatin; therefore, a DNase I sensitivity assay is a widely used methodology in genomics for identifying which regions of the genome are likely to contain active genes

DNase I Sequence Specificity
It has been recently reported that DNase I shows some levels of sequence specificity that may depend on experimental conditions.