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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.
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In-ice evolution of RNA polymerase ribozyme activity.

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  • 1MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.

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Researchers evolved RNA polymerase ribozymes in icy conditions, enabling them to synthesize RNA longer than themselves. This breakthrough is a key step towards understanding the origins of life and RNA self-replication.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Origin of Life Studies
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Molecular self-replication mechanisms offer insights into life's origins.
  • The 'RNA world' hypothesis suggests RNA-catalyzed RNA synthesis was crucial.
  • Current RNA polymerases cannot synthesize RNAs comparable to their own length.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evolve RNA polymerase ribozymes capable of synthesizing longer RNA molecules.
  • To investigate RNA replication in sub-zero environments, mimicking early Earth conditions.
  • To advance the study of RNA self-replication for origins of life research.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro evolution of RNA polymerase ribozymes in water ice.
  • Selection for catalysts adapted to sub-zero temperatures (-19 °C).
  • Combining cold-adaptive mutations with a previously described 5' extension.

Main Results:

  • Developed RNA polymerase ribozymes functional in ice at -19 °C.
  • Achieved synthesis of RNA sequences longer than the ribozyme catalyst (up to 206 nucleotides).
  • Demonstrated accurate RNA synthesis by the evolved ribozymes.

Conclusions:

  • Evolved cold-adapted RNA polymerases are a significant step towards RNA self-replication.
  • This work provides a foundation for understanding RNA-based life in early Earth environments.
  • The ability to synthesize longer RNAs is crucial for prebiotic replication models.