Term: endoenzymes
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E02093

Definition:
enzymes that cut internal bonds of a polymer. Endonucleases are able to cleave phosphodiester bonds within a nucleic acid chain by hydrolysis either randomly or at specific base sequences (cf. restriction enzymes).

Related Terms:
1) enzymes (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E02159).
2) nucleic acid (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.N04245).
3) restriction enzymes (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05350).
4) hydrolysis (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.H02902).

Source: PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 152 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)

Citation: 'endoenzymes' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E02093

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