Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster
09:39

Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster

Published on: August 21, 2014

A novel ribonuclease from the veiled lady mushroom Dictyophora indusiata

Hexing Wang1, Tzi Bun Ng

  • 1Department of Microbiology, College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, 10094 Beijing, China.

Biochemistry and Cell Biology = Biochimie Et Biologie Cellulaire
|December 10, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Researchers isolated a novel ribonuclease (RNase) from the veiled lady mushroom (Dictyophora indusiata). This enzyme shows unique specificity and activity, offering potential applications in molecular biology.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Enzymology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Ribonucleases (RNases) are crucial enzymes involved in RNA metabolism.
  • Mushroom-derived RNases are of interest due to their unique properties and potential applications.
  • The veiled lady mushroom (Dictyophora indusiata) is a less-explored source of bioactive compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and characterize a novel ribonuclease from Dictyophora indusiata.
  • To determine the enzymatic properties, including substrate specificity, optimal conditions, and stability.
  • To compare the novel RNase with previously identified mushroom RNases.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of RNase from dried Dictyophora indusiata fruiting bodies.
  • Purification using ion-exchange chromatography (DEAE-cellulose, CM-Sepharose, Q-Sepharose).
  • Enzyme activity assays using yeast transfer RNA (tRNA) and analysis of substrate specificity (polyU, polyA).
  • Determination of optimal pH and temperature, and thermal stability.

Main Results:

  • A 28 kDa ribonuclease was successfully isolated.
  • The enzyme exhibited specificity towards polyadenylic acid (polyA) and polyuridylic acid (polyU).
  • Optimal activity was observed at pH 4-4.5 and 60°C, with activity loss above this temperature.
  • The N-terminal sequence was distinct from known mushroom RNases.

Conclusions:

  • A novel RNase with unique characteristics was identified in Dictyophora indusiata.
  • The enzyme's distinct N-terminal sequence suggests it is a new class of mushroom RNase.
  • Its specific activity and optimal conditions warrant further investigation for biotechnological applications.

More Related Videos

Large-scale Production of Recombinant RNAs on a Circular Scaffold Using a Viroid-derived System in Escherichia coli10:38

Large-scale Production of Recombinant RNAs on a Circular Scaffold Using a Viroid-derived System in Escherichia coli

Published on: November 30, 2018

Novel RNA-Binding Proteins Isolation by the RaPID Methodology11:19

Novel RNA-Binding Proteins Isolation by the RaPID Methodology

Published on: September 30, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

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 be...
Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

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 be...
Riboswitches01:56

Riboswitches

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...
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...