Covalent Catalytic Strategies for Enzymes That Modify RNA Molecules on their Tripartite Building Blocks.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• RNA Biology

Background:

• RNA modifications are crucial for RNA structure and function.
• Enzymatic catalysis involves transient covalent intermediates.
• RNA processing includes base modification, isomerization, and 5'-end capping.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review enzymatic strategies for RNA modification.
• To highlight transient covalent enzyme-RNA adducts in catalysis.
• To examine specific examples of RNA chemical modifications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of enzymatic RNA modification mechanisms.
• Analysis of catalytic strategies involving covalent intermediates.
• Focus on base alkylation, pseudouridine synthesis, and 5'-capping.

Main Results:

• Enzymatic RNA modification involves transient covalent enzyme-RNA adducts.
• Mechanisms include C5 methylation of cytosine, pseudouridylation, and queuosine replacement.
• Viral RNAs utilize RNA-templated enzymes for 5'-capping, including SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions:

• Enzymatic RNA modification employs diverse covalent strategies.
• These strategies are essential for RNA processing and function.
• Viral RNA capping mechanisms highlight efficient enzyme-RNA interactions.