Nuclease

Ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-3 (NTPDase-3), encoded by the ENTPD3 gene and also known as CD39L3, is an integral membrane protein with an extracellular active site (1). Recombinant human NTPDase-3 was expressed as a protein lacking its N- and C-terminal transmembrane domains, resulting in the secretion of the soluble ectodomain. NTPDase-3 hydrolyzes the beta - and gamma -phosphate residues of nucleotides, Has a threefold preference for the hydrolysis of ATP over ADP. Through its hydrolysis of extracellular nucleotid es, NTPDase-3 plays a role in the regulation of purinergic signaling. The enzyme is expressed at its highest levels in brain, pancreas, spleen and prostate tissues.