ANKLE1

Structure-selective DNA endonuclease that specifically cleaves branched DNA. Processes chromatin bridges during cytokinesis by cleaving DNA, both priming TREX1-mediated resolution and directly resolving bridges. Proper processing of chromatin bridges prevents their breakage during cytokinesis, thereby reducing DNA damage, micronuclei formation, and the activation of immune responses such as the cGAS-STING pathway. Acts as a DNA tension sensor that resolves stretched chromatin bridges during cell division by cleaving mechanically stressed and supercoiled DNA. Its activity increases in response to mechanical stress and negative supercoiling, specifically cleaving both strands of negatively supercoiled DNA at higher stretching forces..

Function from UniProtKB (Q8NAG6), read 2026-09-23. CC BY 4.0.