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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...
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...
Ribosomes01:27

Ribosomes

Ribosomes translate genetic information encoded by messenger RNA (mRNA) into proteins. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have ribosomes. Cells that synthesize large quantities of protein—such as secretory cells in the human pancreas—can contain millions of ribosomes.Ribosome Structure and AssemblyRibosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins. In eukaryotes, rRNA is transcribed from genes in the nucleolus—a part of the nucleus that specializes in ribosome production. Within the...
Ribosomes01:27

Ribosomes

Ribosomes translate genetic information encoded by messenger RNA (mRNA) into proteins. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have ribosomes. Cells that synthesize large quantities of protein—such as secretory cells in the human pancreas—can contain millions of ribosomes.
Ribosome Structure and Assembly
Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins. In eukaryotes, rRNA is transcribed from genes in the nucleolus—a part of the nucleus that specializes in ribosome production. Within...
Ribosomes01:27

Ribosomes

Ribosomes translate genetic information encoded by messenger RNA (mRNA) into proteins. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have ribosomes. Cells that synthesize large quantities of protein—such as secretory cells in the human pancreas—can contain millions of ribosomes.
Ribosome Structure and Assembly
Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins. In eukaryotes, rRNA is transcribed from genes in the nucleolus—a part of the nucleus that specializes in ribosome production. Within...

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Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers
06:59

Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers

Published on: August 20, 2014

Small self-cleaving ribozymes.

Adrian R Ferré-D'Amaré1, William G Scott

  • 1Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 8109-1024, USA. aferre@fhcrc.org

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|September 17, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Small self-cleaving ribozymes, like hammerhead and hairpin, are crucial RNA catalysts. Their diverse structures and catalytic abilities suggest a significant role in early life and modern organisms.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Small self-cleaving ribozymes include hammerhead, hairpin, hepatitis delta virus (HDV), Varkud Satellite (VS), and glmS.
  • These ribozymes, 50-150 nucleotides long, catalyze sequence-specific RNA cleavage.
  • Originally found in satellite RNAs (except glmS), they are now known to be widespread across diverse phyla.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the structural and mechanistic diversity of small self-cleaving ribozymes.
  • To understand the catalytic mechanisms and evolutionary significance of these RNA molecules.
  • To highlight the broad distribution and functional versatility of ribozymes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of crystal structures to determine active site organization.
  • Mechanistic studies to investigate catalytic strategies.
  • Comparative genomics to assess distribution across phyla.

Main Results:

  • Each ribozyme exhibits a unique architecture and active site.
  • Crystal structures reveal transition-state binding in RNA active sites.
  • Mechanistic studies demonstrate efficient acid-base and electrostatic catalysis by nucleobases.

Conclusions:

  • The catalytic versatility of ribozymes explains their prevalence in organisms.
  • These findings support the hypothesis of catalytic RNAs playing a key role in early evolution.
  • Ribozymes are essential components of modern biological systems and provide insights into RNA's primordial functions.