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Related Concept Videos

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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Types of RNA01:23

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Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
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Types of RNA01:20

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Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
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Bacterial Transcription01:53

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RNA polymerase (RNAP) carries out DNA-dependent RNA synthesis in both bacteria and eukaryotes. Bacteria do not have a membrane-bound nucleus. So, transcription and translation occur simultaneously, on the same DNA template.
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Riboswitches01:56

Riboswitches

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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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Prebiotically Plausible RNA Activation Compatible with Ribozyme-Catalyzed Ligation.

Emilie Yeonwha Song1, Eddy Ivanhoe Jiménez2, Huacan Lin2

  • 1Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152, Martinsried, Germany.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|October 31, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Prebiotic RNA synthesis is explained by a new method using frozen water-ice. Diamidophosphate (DAP) and imidazole activate RNA building blocks for hairpin ribozyme catalysis, enabling the formation of longer RNA molecules.

Keywords:
RNAdiamidophosphateearly Earthprebiotic chemistryribozymes

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Area of Science:

  • Origin of Life Studies
  • Prebiotic Chemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • RNA-catalyzed RNA ligation is crucial for early life.
  • Prebiotic RNA synthesis requires activated substrates, but activation methods often conflict with ribozyme catalysis.
  • Generating sustained pools of activated RNA building blocks for prebiotic systems remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate in situ activation of RNA substrates under conditions compatible with ribozyme catalysis.
  • To identify chemical activators that facilitate RNA substrate formation in prebiotic environments.
  • To provide a plausible mechanism for generating activated RNA precursors for early RNA replication.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized frozen water-ice as a reaction medium.
  • Employed diamidophosphate (DAP) and imidazole as activating agents.
  • Investigated the formation of 2',3'-cyclic phosphate RNA mono- and oligonucleotides from monophosphorylated precursors.
  • Assessed the compatibility of the activation method with hairpin ribozyme catalysis.

Main Results:

  • Diamidophosphate (DAP) and imidazole effectively activate monophosphorylated RNA precursors in frozen water-ice.
  • The activation process generates 2',3'-cyclic phosphate RNA mono- and oligonucleotides, which are high-energy substrates.
  • This long-lived activation is compatible with hairpin ribozyme catalysis, allowing for iterative enzymatic assembly of longer RNA molecules.
  • The findings suggest a viable pathway for generating activated RNA building blocks without a complex metabolic system.

Conclusions:

  • The study presents a novel method for in situ RNA substrate activation in frozen water-ice using DAP and imidazole.
  • This activation strategy overcomes the incompatibility between typical chemical activation methods and ribozyme catalysis.
  • The findings offer a plausible prebiotic scenario for the sustained synthesis of complex RNA molecules, essential for the origin of life.