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Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

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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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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.
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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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Ribosome synthesis is a highly complex and coordinated process involving more than 200 assembly factors. The synthesis and processing of ribosomal components occurs not only in the nucleolus but also in the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
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Chemical Triphosphorylation of Oligonucleotides
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A ribozyme that triphosphorylates RNA 5'-hydroxyl groups.

Janina E Moretti1, Ulrich F Müller

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.

Nucleic Acids Research
|January 24, 2014
PubMed
Summary

This study demonstrates that ribozymes can utilize cyclic trimetaphosphate as an energy source for RNA triphosphorylation, supporting the RNA world hypothesis. These findings suggest early life may have harnessed this molecule for metabolic processes.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Origin of Life Studies
  • Molecular Evolution

Background:

  • The RNA world hypothesis posits RNA as both genetic material and catalyst in early life.
  • Understanding early energy sources is crucial for validating RNA world scenarios.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of cyclic trimetaphosphate as an energy source for RNA world organisms.
  • To isolate and characterize ribozymes capable of RNA triphosphorylation using trimetaphosphate.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro selection strategy to identify catalytic ribozymes.
  • Detailed kinetic and structural analysis of an isolated ribozyme.
  • Assessing ribozyme activity with cyclic trimetaphosphate and RNA substrates.

Main Results:

  • Isolation of several active ribozymes catalyzing RNA 5'-hydroxyl group triphosphorylation.
  • Characterization of a 96-nucleotide ribozyme with a trans-format and optimal reaction rates of 0.16 min⁻¹.
  • Identification of a four-helical junction motif in the ribozyme's secondary structure.

Conclusions:

  • Ribozymes can effectively use cyclic trimetaphosphate to phosphorylate RNA.
  • Cyclic trimetaphosphate represents a plausible energy source for RNA world organisms.
  • This research provides experimental support for metabolic capabilities in the RNA world.