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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...
RNA Splicing01:32

RNA Splicing

Splicing is the process by which eukaryotic RNA is edited before its translation into protein. The RNA strand transcribed from eukaryotic DNA is called the primary transcript. The primary transcripts that become mRNAs are called precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains alternating sequences of exons and introns. Exons are nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, whereas introns are the non-coding regions. In RNA splicing, introns are removed and exons are bonded...
RNA Splicing01:32

RNA Splicing

Splicing is the process by which eukaryotic RNA is edited before its translation into protein. The RNA strand transcribed from eukaryotic DNA is called the primary transcript. The primary transcripts that become mRNAs are called precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains alternating sequences of exons and introns. Exons are nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, whereas introns are the non-coding regions. In RNA splicing, introns are removed and exons are bonded...
Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases00:58

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

RNA Polymerase (RNAP) is conserved in all animals, with bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic RNAPs sharing significant sequence, structural, and functional similarities. Among the three eukaryotic RNAPs, RNA Polymerase II is most similar to bacterial RNAP in terms of both structural organization and folding topologies of the enzyme subunits. However, these similarities are not reflected in their mechanism of action.
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...
Transcription Initiation01:47

Transcription Initiation

Initiation is the first step of transcription in eukaryotes. Prokaryotic RNA Polymerase (RNAP) can bind to the template DNA and start transcribing. On the other hand, transcription in eukaryotes requires additional proteins, called transcription factors, to first bind to the promoter region in the DNA template. This binding helps recruit the specific RNAP that can assemble on the DNA and start transcription.
The promoters and enhancers and their accessory proteins allow tight regulation of...
Bacterial Transcription01:53

Bacterial Transcription

RNA polymerase (RNAP) carries out DNA-dependent RNA synthesis in both bacteria and eukaryotes. Bacteria do not have a membrane-bound nucleus. So, transcription and translation occur simultaneously, on the same DNA template.
Transcription can be divided into three main stages, each involving distinct DNA sequences to guide the polymerase. These are:

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Analysis of RNA Processing Reactions Using Cell Free Systems: 3' End Cleavage of Pre-mRNA Substrates in vitro
09:16

Analysis of RNA Processing Reactions Using Cell Free Systems: 3' End Cleavage of Pre-mRNA Substrates in vitro

Published on: May 3, 2014

RNase P RNA-mediated cleavage.

Leif A Kirsebom1, Stefan Trobro

  • 1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala, SE-751 24, Sweden. Leif.Kirsebom@icm.uu.se

IUBMB Life
|February 27, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Ribonuclease P (RNase P) RNA acts as a catalyst to process RNA, preventing unwanted hydrolysis. This review details how RNase P RNA and magnesium ions ensure correct RNA cleavage products.

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Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Analysis of RNA Processing Reactions Using Cell Free Systems: 3' End Cleavage of Pre-mRNA Substrates in vitro
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Fluorescence Based Primer Extension Technique to Determine Transcriptional Starting Points and Cleavage Sites of RNases In Vivo
10:51

Fluorescence Based Primer Extension Technique to Determine Transcriptional Starting Points and Cleavage Sites of RNases In Vivo

Published on: October 31, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • RNA Catalysis

Background:

  • Metal(II) ions induce RNA hydrolysis, yielding 5'-hydroxyl and 2';3'-cyclic phosphate termini.
  • Ribozymes are catalytic RNA molecules; some generate 5'-hydroxyl/2';3'-cyclic phosphates, others 5'-phosphate/3'-hydroxyl products.
  • Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is crucial for RNA processing, with its catalytic RNA subunit acting as a trans-acting ribozyme.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the interactions between RNase P RNA and its substrate.
  • To elucidate the role of specific residues in RNase P catalysis.
  • To discuss the positioning of essential Mg(2+) ions for correct product generation and prevention of substrate hydrolysis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of RNase P RNA function and structure.
  • Analysis of catalytic mechanisms for RNA cleavage by RNase P.
  • Examination of metal ion coordination in the RNase P active site.

Main Results:

  • RNase P RNA generates 5'-phosphate and 3'-hydroxyl termini, distinct from metal-induced hydrolysis products.
  • Specific residues within RNase P RNA are critical for substrate binding and catalysis.
  • Magnesium ions (Mg(2+)) are essential for RNase P activity and are precisely positioned to ensure correct cleavage outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • RNase P RNA actively controls the cleavage reaction to produce specific product ends, preventing non-specific metal-induced hydrolysis.
  • Understanding RNase P RNA-substrate interactions and metal ion roles is key to comprehending RNA processing.
  • The evolutionary composition of RNase P and its RNA subunit provides insights into its essential biological functions.