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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...
Mechanisms of Membrane-bending01:15

Mechanisms of Membrane-bending

The living membranes are flexible due to their fluid mosaic nature; however, their bending into different shapes is an active process regulated by specific lipids and proteins. The membrane bending can be transient as seen in vesicles or stable for a long time as in microvilli. Cells regulate the size, location, and duration of the membrane curvature.
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
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...
Transcriptional Regulation: Riboswitches01:23

Transcriptional Regulation: Riboswitches

Riboswitches are RNA elements that regulate gene expression by altering their secondary structures in response to specific effector molecules. These elements, located in the leader regions of certain mRNAs, act as transcriptional regulators by toggling between alternative conformations to control downstream gene expression. Riboswitch-mediated regulation is a precise mechanism for modulating biosynthetic pathways, as exemplified by the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway in Bacillus...

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Folding and Characterization of a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami
07:59

Folding and Characterization of a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami

Published on: December 3, 2015

Ribozymes: Flexible molecular devices at work.

Giulia Talini1, Sergio Branciamore, Enzo Gallori

  • 1Laboratory of Cancer Genetics and Gene Transfer, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori, AOU Careggi, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.

Biochimie
|July 12, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Ribozymes, catalytic RNAs, highlight RNA's dual role in the "RNA world" hypothesis. Their structural plasticity and gene-modulating functions underscore RNA's evolutionary significance and ancient origins.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Origin of Life Studies

Background:

  • The discovery of ribozymes (catalytic RNA molecules) supports the

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore RNA plasticity and its role in the emergence of new functions.
  • To examine the gene-modulating capabilities of natural ribozymes and their ancient origins.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro selection experiments to isolate bifunctional ribozymes.
  • Analysis of naturally occurring ribozymes in contemporary cells.

Main Results:

  • RNA plasticity allows single sequences to adopt multiple structures and functions.
  • Bifunctional ribozymes demonstrate increased evolutionary potential.
  • Natural ribozymes play crucial roles in modern gene expression and may have ancient origins.

Conclusions:

  • RNA's structural versatility is key to its evolutionary success.
  • Ribozymes continue to be vital in modern biological systems, particularly in gene regulation.
  • The study of ribozymes provides insights into the early evolution of life.