The chemical repertoire of natural ribozymes

Nature. 2002 Jul 11;418(6894):222-8. doi: 10.1038/418222a.

Abstract

Although RNA is generally thought to be a passive genetic blueprint, some RNA molecules, called ribozymes, have intrinsic enzyme-like activity--they can catalyse chemical reactions in the complete absence of protein cofactors. In addition to the well-known small ribozymes that cleave phosphodiester bonds, we now know that RNA catalysts probably effect a number of key cellular reactions. This versatility has lent credence to the idea that RNA molecules may have been central to the early stages of life on Earth.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Catalysis
  • Endoribonucleases / chemistry
  • Endoribonucleases / genetics
  • Endoribonucleases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Introns / genetics
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • RNA Splicing / genetics
  • RNA, Catalytic / chemistry
  • RNA, Catalytic / genetics
  • RNA, Catalytic / metabolism*
  • Ribonuclease P
  • Ribonucleoproteins / chemistry
  • Ribonucleoproteins / genetics
  • Ribonucleoproteins / metabolism
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • RNA, Catalytic
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • hammerhead ribozyme
  • Endoribonucleases
  • RPP14 protein, human
  • Ribonuclease P