endonuclease
noun
en·do·nu·cle·ase
ˌen-dō-ˈnü-klē-ˌās 
-ˌāz,
-ˈnyü-
: an enzyme that breaks down a nucleotide chain into two or more shorter chains by cleaving the internal covalent bonds linking nucleotides compare exonuclease
Examples of endonuclease in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The other is an endonuclease, nonstructural protein 15 (NSP15).
—
William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2021
Both circular strands of DNA are protected from endonucleases.
—Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, 29 Aug. 2019
Xofluza interferes with a protein inside the flu virus called polymerase acidic endonuclease, which helps stop the virus from replicating, Dr. Adalja explains.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 26 Oct. 2018
Humans don’t make UV endonuclease, either; researchers found it in a bacterium called Micrococcus luteus.
—Robbie Gonzalez, WIRED, 2 July 2018
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William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2021
Both circular strands of DNA are protected from endonucleases.
—Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, 29 Aug. 2019
Xofluza interferes with a protein inside the flu virus called polymerase acidic endonuclease, which helps stop the virus from replicating, Dr. Adalja explains.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 26 Oct. 2018
Humans don’t make UV endonuclease, either; researchers found it in a bacterium called Micrococcus luteus.
—Robbie Gonzalez, WIRED, 2 July 2018
Cite this Entry
“Endonuclease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endonuclease. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
endonuclease
noun
en·do·nu·cle·ase
-ˈn(y)ü-klē-ˌās, -ˌāz
: an enzyme that breaks down a nucleotide chain into two or more shorter chains by cleaving the internal phosphodiester bonds see restriction endonuclease compare exonuclease
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