Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2026

RNA Catalyst as a Reporter for Screening Drugs against RNA Editing in Trypanosomes
Published on: July 22, 2014
The hammerhead ribozyme
1Max-Planck Institut für experimentelle Medizin, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany. eckstein@mail.em.mpg.de
Abstract:
The hammerhead ribozyme is an intriguing RNA molecule with the ability to serve as a catalyst to cleave sequence-specifically RNA molecules in an intermolecular reaction. Preferentially Mg(2+) is required for optimal activity by inducing the catalytically competent conformation and by possibly acting as an acid-base catalyst. Even though the three-dimensional structure has been elucidated details of the structure-function relationship and of the mechanism remain unanswered. The hammerhead ribozyme has stimulated the concept of the sequence-specific cleavage of mRNAs intracellularly and thus to inhibit gene expression by preventing translation. This represents an area of considerable interest as it has the potential for the development of drugs.
Related Concept Videos
RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins
Riboswitches
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
Ribozymes
Ribozymes can be...
Ribozymes
Ribozymes can be...
RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins
Ribosomal RNA Synthesis
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...

