Chemicals and Drugs

DNA Helicases

Proteins that catalyze the unwinding of duplex DNA during replication by binding cooperatively to single-stranded regions of DNA or to short regions of duplex DNA that are undergoing transient opening. In addition, DNA helicases are DNA-dependent ATPases that harness the free energy of ATP hydrolysis to translocate DNA strands.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Proteins that catalyze the unwinding of duplex DNA during replication by binding cooperatively to single-stranded regions of DNA or to short regions of duplex DNA that are undergoing transient opening. In addition, DNA helicases are DNA-dependent ATPases that harness the free energy of ATP hydrolysis to translocate DNA strands.

MeSH Record

Classification

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MeSH Record

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

20 entry terms
  • DNA Helicase
  • DNA Unwinding Protein
  • DNA Unwinding Proteins
  • Helicase, DNA
  • Helicases, DNA
  • Protein, DNA Unwinding
  • Unwinding Protein, DNA
  • Unwinding Proteins, DNA
  • ATP-Dependent DNA Helicase
  • ATP-Dependent DNA Helicases
  • DNA Helicase A
  • DNA Helicase E
  • DNA Helicase II
  • DNA Helicase III
  • ATP Dependent DNA Helicase
  • ATP Dependent DNA Helicases
  • DNA Helicase, ATP-Dependent
  • DNA Helicases, ATP-Dependent
  • Helicase, ATP-Dependent DNA
  • Helicases, ATP-Dependent DNA

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

29 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

do not confuse entry term DNA UNWINDING PROTEINS with DNA UNTWISTING PROTEINS

MeSH Record

History Note

1994

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Deoxyribonucleases (1966-1977)
  • Endonucleases (1973-1977)
  • Proteins (1966-1977)
  • specific protein (1966-1977)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D08.811w.277w.040w.025w.159
  2. D08.811w.399w.340

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QU 137

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. DNA Helicases. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D004265. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D004265
  2. DNA Helicases. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106939956