TWNK

[Isoform 1]: Mitochondrial helicase involved in mtDNA replication and repair. Might have a role in mtDNA repair. Has DNA strand separation activity needed to form a processive replication fork for leading strand synthesis which is catalyzed by the formation of a replisome complex with POLG and mtSDB. Preferentially unwinds DNA substrates with pre-existing 5'-and 3'- single-stranded tails but is also active on a 5'- flap substrate. Can dissociate the invading strand of immobile or mobile D-loop DNA structures irrespective of the single strand polarity of the third strand. In addition to its DNA strand separation activity, also has DNA strand annealing, DNA strand-exchange and DNA branch migration activities..

Function from UniProtKB (Q96RR1), read 2026-09-23. CC BY 4.0.