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Related Experiment Videos

An alcohol dehydrogenase ribozyme.

Shinya Tsukiji1, Swetansu B Pattnaik, Hiroaki Suga

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260-3000, USA.

Nature Structural Biology
|August 12, 2003
PubMed
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Researchers engineered a novel RNA molecule with alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity. This redox-active ribozyme efficiently oxidizes alcohol and aids in NAD+-regeneration, supporting the RNA world hypothesis.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Origin of Life Studies

Background:

  • Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) is crucial for metabolizing alcohol.
  • The RNA world hypothesis proposes that RNA molecules played key roles in early life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To engineer a novel RNA molecule with alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity.
  • To investigate the potential of RNA in redox reactions and NAD+-regeneration.

Main Methods:

  • Directed in vitro evolution was employed to select for redox-active RNA molecules.
  • A combinatorial RNA pool was screened for NAD+-dependent activity.

Main Results:

  • An RNA molecule with significant alcohol oxidation activity, analogous to ADH, was discovered.

Related Experiment Videos

  • The engineered ribozyme demonstrated a seven-orders-of-magnitude increase in alcohol oxidation rate compared to spontaneous reactions.
  • A functional NAD+-regeneration system was established using the ADH RNA and a redox relay.

    • Conclusions:

    • RNA molecules can exhibit enzymatic activity beyond simple catalysis, including redox functions.
    • The findings provide evidence for RNA's capability to support metabolic processes in early life.
    • This work supports the plausibility of an RNA-based metabolic system in ancient organisms.