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Updated: May 10, 2026

Self-Assembly of Gamma-Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids into Complex Nanostructures in Organic Solvent Mixtures
Published on: June 26, 2020
RNA self-processing: formation of cyclic species and concatemers from a small engineered RNA
Sonja Petkovic1, Sabine Müller
1Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald, Institut für Biochemie, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17487 Greifswald, Germany.
Abstract:
We have engineered a self-processing RNA, derived from the hairpin ribozyme that runs through a cascade of cleavage and ligation reactions thereby changing its topology. The first two cleavage events leave the resulting RNA with a 5'-OH group and a 2',3'-cyclic phosphate. Thus, upon refolding, intramolecular ligation delivers a cyclic species. In addition, we demonstrate formation of concatemers resulting from multiple intermolecular ligations. Our results demonstrate the potential of RNA for self-supported topology changes and support the suggestion of 2',3'-cyclic phosphates being suitable activated building blocks for reversible phosphodiester bond formation in the RNA world.
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