The function of ANKLE1 (ankyrin repeat and LEM domain containing 1, ENSG00000160117) is as follows. Structure-selective DNA endonuclease that specifically cleaves branched DNA (PubMed:22399800, PubMed:27245214, PubMed:32866453, PubMed:36825683, PubMed:37216589). Processes chromatin bridges during cytokinesis by cleaving DNA, both priming TREX1-mediated resolution and directly resolving bridges (PubMed:36825683). Proper processing of chromatin bridges prevents their breakage during cytokinesis, thereby reducing DNA damage, micronuclei formation, and the activation of immune responses such as the cGAS-STING pathway (PubMed:36825683). Acts as a DNA tension sensor that resolves stretched chromatin bridges during cell division by cleaving mechanically stressed and supercoiled DNA (PubMed:41361016). Its activity increases in response to mechanical stress and negative supercoiling, specifically cleaving both strands of negatively supercoiled DNA at higher stretching forces (PubMed:41361016). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:22399800, ECO:0000269|PubMed:27245214, ECO:0000269|PubMed:32866453, ECO:0000269|PubMed:36825683, ECO:0000269|PubMed:37216589}.