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
One study shows that infected cells deficient in the endonuclease NSP15 displayed less viral shedding and replication.
—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes,
28 Oct. 2021
Both circular strands of DNA are protected from endonucleases.
—
Robert F. Service,
Science | AAAS,
29 Aug. 2019
Humans don’t make UV endonuclease, either; researchers found it in a bacterium called Micrococcus luteus.
—
Robbie Gonzalez,
WIRED,
2 July 2018
One way puts to work a class of natural nanomachines collectively called restriction endonucleases.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
20 May 2013
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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
Humans don’t make UV endonuclease, either; researchers found it in a bacterium called Micrococcus luteus.
—
Robbie Gonzalez,
WIRED,
2 July 2018
One way puts to work a class of natural nanomachines collectively called restriction endonucleases.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
20 May 2013
Cite this Entry
“Endonuclease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endonuclease. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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