Deoxyribonuclease I and its clinical applications

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