TectoRNP: self-assembling RNAs with peptide recognition motifs as templates for chemical peptide ligation

TectoRNA, an artificial RNA with self-assembling ability, has been employed as a structural platform for RNA nanotechnology and RNA synthetic biology. In this study, tectoRNA was applied as a specific template for chemical peptide ligation. On the basis of a self-assembling tectoRNA, we designed and constructed a template RNA that facilitates peptide ligation depending on controlled dimer formation. Two RNA-binding peptides were recognized by two peptide-binding RNA motifs embedded in the template RNA, and chemical ligation was promoted because of the entropic effect of Mg(2+) -dependent dimerization. In a series of biochemical analyses, we determined the relationship between the structures of the tectoRNA-based templates and the extent of acceleration in peptide ligation.