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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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PIWI-interacting RNAs, or piRNAs, are the most abundant short non-coding RNAs. More than 20,000 genes have been found in humans that code for piRNAs while only 2000 genes have been found for miRNAs. piRNAs can act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and have a vital role in silencing transposable elements present in germ cells. They are also involved in epigenetic silencing and activation. Previously, they were thought to function only in germ cells but new evidence suggests...
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RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
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The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms  a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
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RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
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A Fluorescence-based Exonuclease Assay to Characterize DmWRNexo, Orthologue of Human Progeroid WRN Exonuclease, and Its Application to Other Nucleases
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Human ribonuclease Dicer – structure and functions

Natalia Koralewska1, Kinga Ciechanowska, Maria Pokornowska

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Human Dicer enzyme is essential for small RNA biogenesis and also performs crucial miRNA-independent functions. This review explores Dicer

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • RNA Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Endoribonuclease III Dicer is vital for microRNA (miRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) production.
  • Dicer's functions extend beyond small RNA biogenesis, involving tRNA and snoRNA processing, and genome maintenance.
  • Emerging evidence highlights Dicer's novel regulatory roles through interactions with mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure and function of human Dicer.
  • To highlight recent findings on miRNA-independent roles of Dicer.
  • To discuss the impact of Dicer's diverse functions on cell biology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on Dicer.
  • Analysis of Dicer's known enzymatic activities.
  • Synthesis of recent discoveries regarding Dicer's non-canonical functions.

Main Results:

  • Dicer's established role in small RNA processing is confirmed.
  • Dicer participates in processing various RNA types (tRNA, snoRNA) and maintaining genome integrity.
  • Dicer exhibits novel functions, including involvement in apoptosis, inflammation, and acting as a nucleic acid chaperone.

Conclusions:

  • Human Dicer possesses multifaceted roles beyond miRNA and siRNA biogenesis.
  • Dicer's miRNA-independent activities significantly impact cellular processes and genome stability.
  • Understanding Dicer's comprehensive functions is crucial for cell biology research.