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Ribonuclease P catalysis differs from ribosomal RNA self-splicing
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 5, 1985
Summary
Ribonuclease P catalysis differs from Tetrahymena self-splicing RNA. Unlike self-splicing, ribonuclease P activity is unaffected by periodate oxidation, indicating a distinct catalytic mechanism for RNA enzymes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- RNA Catalysis
Background:
- Two key RNA-catalyzed reactions are known: Tetrahymena self-splicing ribosomal RNA and ribonuclease P.
- The Tetrahymena self-splicing reaction involves a transesterification cascade reliant on ribose 3'-OH groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the catalytic mechanism of ribonuclease P.
- To compare the mechanism of ribonuclease P with that of Tetrahymena self-splicing RNA.
Main Methods:
- Periodate oxidation of catalytic RNA to eliminate 3' terminal nucleophilicity.
- Assaying ribonuclease P activity following periodate oxidation.
Main Results:
- Periodate oxidation, which inactivates the Tetrahymena self-splicing reaction, did not inhibit ribonuclease P activity.
- This suggests a difference in the catalytic mechanisms of the two RNA enzymes.
Conclusions:
- Ribonuclease P catalysis is mechanistically distinct from Tetrahymena self-splicing RNA.
- The 3' terminus nucleophilicity is crucial for self-splicing but not for ribonuclease P activity.