DNA ligase

In molecular biology, DNA ligase is an enzyme that repairs broken DNA strands. DNA ligase (EC 6.5.1.1) is a particular type of enzyme that can form covalent phosphodiester bonds and ligate or connect (broken) DNA strands.

An example of how a ligase works (with sticky ends):

5'-AGTCTGATCTGACT        GATGCGTATGCTAGTGCT-3'
 3'-TCAGACTAGACTGACTACG        CATACGATCACGA-5'
 

becomes

5'-AGTCTGATCTGACTGATGCGTATGCTAGTGCT-3'
 3'-TCAGACTAGACTGACTACGCATACGATCACGA-5'
 

External links

• DNA Ligase: PDB molecule of the month

See also: DNA ligase, Biochemistry, DNA, Enzyme, Ligase, Molecular biology, Phosphodiester bonds, Sticky end