An RNA aptamer that shifts the reduction potential of metabolic cofactors

The discovery of ribozymes has inspired exploration of RNA's potential to serve as primordial catalysts in a hypothesized RNA world. Modern oxidoreductase enzymes employ differential binding between reduced and oxidized forms of redox cofactors to alter cofactor reduction potential and enhance the enzyme's catalytic capabilities. The utility of differential affinity has been underexplored as a chemical strategy for RNA. Here we show an RNA aptamer that preferentially binds oxidized forms of flavin over reduced forms and markedly shifts flavin reduction potential by -40 mV, similar to shifts for oxidoreductases. Nuclear magnetic resonance structural analysis revealed π-π and donor atom-π interactions between the aptamer and flavin that cause unfavorable contacts with the electron-rich reduced form, suggesting a mechanism by which the local environment of the RNA-binding pocket drives the observed shift in cofactor reduction potential. It seems likely that primordial RNAs could have used similar strategies in RNA world metabolisms.