Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

13.8K
The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can...
13.8K
Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

3.8K
No description available
3.8K
RNA Structure01:19

RNA Structure

8.3K
The basic structure of RNA consists of a string of ribonucleotides attached by phosphodiester bonds. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA) involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three...
8.3K
RNA Structure01:23

RNA Structure

81.3K
Overview
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...
81.3K
RNA Structure01:23

RNA Structure

29.8K
No description available
29.8K
Riboswitches01:56

Riboswitches

10.1K
Riboswitches are non-coding mRNA domains that regulate the transcription and translation of downstream genes without the help of proteins. Riboswitches bind directly to a metabolite and can form unique stem-loop or hairpin structures in response to the amount of the metabolite present. They have two distinct regions – a metabolite-binding aptamer and an expression platform.
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
10.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Mechanoreceptor plexin D1 regulates lymphatic valve morphogenesis and lymphedema pathogenesis.

The Journal of clinical investigation·2026
Same author

Sensing of shear stress in vascular endothelial cells - from physiology to pathology.

Journal of cell science·2026
Same author

Proteostasis and resilience in the mechanically-stressed vascular endothelium.

Current opinion in physiology·2025
Same author

Cross-chiral exponential amplification of an RNA enzyme.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2024
Same author

RNA-catalyzed evolution of catalytic RNA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2024
Same author

Correction to "Cross-Chiral, RNA-Catalyzed Exponential Amplification of RNA".

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Chemical Triphosphorylation of Oligonucleotides
13:19

Chemical Triphosphorylation of Oligonucleotides

Published on: June 2, 2022

4.3K

A ribozyme composed of only two different nucleotides.

John S Reader1, Gerald F Joyce

  • 1Department of Chemistry, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.

Nature
|December 20, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Early life may have used simpler RNA with only two bases (2,6-diaminopurine and uracil) for genetic information and catalysis. Researchers evolved these binary informational macromolecules into efficient ligase ribozymes.

More Related Videos

DNAzyme-dependent Analysis of rRNA 2’-O-Methylation
09:12

DNAzyme-dependent Analysis of rRNA 2’-O-Methylation

Published on: September 16, 2019

8.9K
Dual DNA Rulers to Study the Mechanism of Ribosome Translocation with Single-Nucleotide Resolution
10:27

Dual DNA Rulers to Study the Mechanism of Ribosome Translocation with Single-Nucleotide Resolution

Published on: July 8, 2019

6.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Chemical Triphosphorylation of Oligonucleotides
13:19

Chemical Triphosphorylation of Oligonucleotides

Published on: June 2, 2022

4.3K
DNAzyme-dependent Analysis of rRNA 2’-O-Methylation
09:12

DNAzyme-dependent Analysis of rRNA 2’-O-Methylation

Published on: September 16, 2019

8.9K
Dual DNA Rulers to Study the Mechanism of Ribosome Translocation with Single-Nucleotide Resolution
10:27

Dual DNA Rulers to Study the Mechanism of Ribosome Translocation with Single-Nucleotide Resolution

Published on: July 8, 2019

6.7K

Area of Science:

  • Origin of Life
  • RNA World Hypothesis
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • RNA's dual role in early life: genetic encoding and catalysis.
  • Modern genetic systems use two base pairs, but cytosine's instability poses challenges.
  • Primitive genetic systems might have utilized a single base-pairing unit.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate binary informational macromolecules as catalysts.
  • To explore the potential of simplified RNA systems in early life.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro evolution.
  • Selection of ligase ribozymes.
  • Characterization of catalytic efficiency.

Main Results:

  • Successfully evolved ligase ribozymes using only 2,6-diaminopurine and uracil.
  • Achieved a 36,000-fold increase in catalytic rate compared to uncatalyzed reactions.
  • Demonstrated specificity for forming 3',5'-phosphodiester linkages.

Conclusions:

  • Binary informational macromolecules can function as catalysts.
  • Simplified RNA systems are plausible for early genetic material.
  • Evolved ribozymes show high catalytic efficiency and specificity.