DEOXYRIBONUCLEASE-I AND ITS CLINICAL-APPLICATIONS

DNases are DNA hydrolyzing enzymes. The well-characterized bovine panc reatic DNase I, the first DNase discovered, is a model DNase for study ing the structure-function relationships of the DNase I type enzymes. The Epstein-Barr virus produces a DNase with an unknown biologic funct ion other than degrading DNA, and this viral DNase has been used as an Epstein-Barr viral marker. Human DNase I exhibits polymorphism that c an be used for forensic identification and for correlation with certai n diseases. Variations in serum DNase activities have been implicated as the result of disease states and measurements of DNase activities a re often used for diagnosis and prognosis. Recombinant human DNase I h as been administered in cystic fibrosis patients to improve mucociliar y clearance and pulmonary function. Thus, although the primary functio n of DNases is to degrade DNA, there are many reports of its clinical applications.