Endonucleases are enzymes that cleave the phosphodiester bond within a polynucleotide chain. Restriction endonucleases (Restriction Enzymes) cleave DNA at specific sites, and are divided into three categories, Type I, Type II, and Type III, according to their mechanism of action. These enzymes are often used in genetic engineering to make recombinant DNA for introduction into bacterial, plant, or animal cells.

Common endonucleases:

Bacterial:

1. UvrABC endonuclease is a well documented endonuclease found in E.coli

See also

• Exonuclease

EC 3.1

Endonucléase | Endonukleaza