Polynucleotide 3' phosphatase

In enzymology, a polynucleotide 3'-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.32) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

a 3'-phosphopolynucleotide + H₂O ⇌ a polynucleotide + phosphate

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are 3'-phosphopolynucleotide and H₂O, whereas its two products are polynucleotide and phosphate.

This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on phosphoric monoester bonds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is polynucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase. Other names in common use include 2'(3')-polynucleotidase, DNA 3'-phosphatase, deoxyribonucleate 3'-phosphatase, and 5'-polynucleotidekinase 3'-phosphatase.