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One of the proteins in rattlesnake venom is an enzyme named phosphodiesterase. Could polynucleotides be a substrate for this enzyme? Why or why not?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Yes, polynucleotides, such as DNA and RNA, could indeed be a substrate for the enzyme phosphodiesterase, since they are composed of phosphodiester bonds - the type of bond that this enzyme cleaves.

Step by step solution

01

Identifying the Function of Phosphodiesterase

Phosphodiesterase is an enzyme that breaks down phosphodiester bonds. Phosphodiester bonds are found in many organic compounds, including DNA and RNA.
02

Understanding the Structure of Polynucleotides

Polynucleotides, such as DNA and RNA, are chains of nucleotides. These are composed of three parts: a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The phosphate group of one nucleotide is covalently linked to the sugar of the next, forming a repeating pattern of sugar-phosphate-sugar-phosphate. This connection is referred to as a phosphodiester bond.
03

Determining the Connection

Because polynucleotides contain phosphodiester bonds - the very bonds that phosphodiesterase can break - they could indeed serve as a substrate for this enzyme. Given that the enzyme is found in rattlesnake venom, it's plausible that it could have physiological effects that include the degradation of DNA or RNA.

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