part_of nuclease activity Catalysis of the hydrolysis of ester linkages within nucleic acids. Note that 'tRNA nucleotidyltransferase activity ; GO:0009022', also known as 'ribonuclease PH', does not have parentage in the 'nuclease activity' branch of the ontology because both GO and the Enzyme Commission define nuclease activity as a type of hydrolysis. molecular_function EC:3.1.-.- GO:0004518 hydrolase activity, acting on ester bonds nucleic acid phosphodiester bond hydrolysis