Nuclease EXOG, mitochondrial (EXOG)

Nuclease EXOG, mitochondrial (EXOG) is a dimeric mitochondrial enzyme in humans that functions with both 5′–3′ exonuclease and endonuclease activity, with a preference for single-stranded DNA but can also nick supercoiled DNA. It is essential for mitochondrial DNA repair, including removal of RNA primers during DNA replication and repair of mtDNA, and may play roles in programmed cell death and normal cell proliferation. EXOG is encoded by a nuclear gene but localizes to the inner mitochondrial membrane through a hydrophobic N-terminal transmembrane segment. It complements the related Endonuclease G (EndoG), which in mammals is a pure endonuclease; together these two enzymes likely cover all major mitochondrial nucleic acid metabolism functions in higher eukaryotes. SNPs in or near the EXOG gene have been associated with risk for certain diseases, such as type II diabetes, emphasizing its importance in mitochondrial integrity and cellular health. No drugs or clinical inhibitors specifically target EXOG according to current evidence.

Other names

Endonuclease G-like 1Endonuclease G-like 2ENDOGL1ENDOGL2ENGLENGL-aENGL-bENGLAENGLBexo/endonuclease GEndo G-like 1endo/exonuclease (5'-3')endonuclease G-likenuclease EXOG, mitochondrial