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Updated: Aug 11, 2025

Analysis of RNA Processing Reactions Using Cell Free Systems: 3' End Cleavage of Pre-mRNA Substrates in vitro
Published on: May 3, 2014
Altered Mechanisms for Acid-Catalyzed RNA Cleavage and Isomerization Reactions Models
Yuqing Xu1, Michael E Harris2, Darrin M York3
1School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
Abstract:
RNA strand cleavage by 2'-O-transphosphorylation is catalyzed not only by numerous nucleolytic RNA enzymes (ribozymes) but also by hydroxide or hydronium ions. In experiments, both cleavage of the 5'-linked nucleoside and isomerization between 3',5'- and 2',5'-phosphodiesters occur under acidic conditions, while only the cleavage reaction is observed under basic conditions. An ab initio path-integral approach for simulating kinetic isotope effects is used to reveal the reaction mechanisms for RNA cleavage and isomerization reactions under acidic conditions. Moreover, the proposed mechanisms can also be combined through the experimental pH-rate profiles.
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