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polynucleotide kinase 3'-phosphatase

The PNKP gene provides instructions for making the polynucleotide kinase-phosphatase (PNKP) enzyme. This enzyme is critical for repairing broken strands of DNA molecules. It can help fix damage that affects one DNA strand (single-strand breaks) or both strands (double-strand breaks). At the site of the damage, the PNKP enzyme modifies the broken ends of the DNA strands so that they can be joined back together.

Normal function

The PNKP gene provides instructions for making the polynucleotide kinase-phosphatase (PNKP) enzyme. This enzyme is critical for repairing broken strands of DNA molecules. It can help fix damage that affects one DNA strand (single-strand breaks) or both strands (double-strand breaks). At the site of the damage, the PNKP enzyme modifies the broken ends of the DNA strands so that they can be joined back together.

Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome

Other names

AOA4

bifunctional polynucleotide phosphatase/kinase

DNA 5'-kinase/3'-phosphatase

EIEE10

Homo sapiens polynucleotide kinase 3'-phosphatase (PNKP)

MCSZ

PNK

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Further reading and references

Article history

The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
  • 19 Apr 2023 | Latest version
  • 1 Jun 2018 | Originally published

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