Evolution in vitro of an RNA enzyme with altered metal dependence

Article Abstract:

Artificial phenotypes of the Tetrahymena group I ribozyme were produced using in vitro evolution techniques. This ribozyme is an RNA enzyme responsible for catalyzing a sequence-specific phosphodiester cleavage reaction on an external RNA oligonucleotide substrate when near a divalent metal cation cofactor. The new genetic variants of the ribozyme can use calcium as the divalent cation rather than magnesium or manganese as is normal. The artificial phylogenic change resembles the effects of natural selection.

Genetic aspects, Enzymes

---

A ribozyme that lacks cytidine

Article Abstract:

It has been established that even three nucleic-acid subunits are sufficient to provide a large rise in the catalytic rate. This research used in vitro evolution to produce an RNA ligase ribozyme that lacks cytidine. Ribozymes lacking cytidine indicate that evolution can deal with an extremely limited set of chemical building blocks in producing macromolecules with a complex structure and function. It is clear that RNA folding and catalysis can be achieved in a three-nucleotide system.

RNA

---

Leslie Orgel

Article Abstract:

Leslie Orgel, the chemist and molecular biologist, was known for his pioneering contribution to study of the origins of life.

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, Chemists, Obituary, Molecular biologists, Orgel, Leslie

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Edging towards human gene therapy. The great gene shears story. UK blood screening begins
• Abstracts: Precisely correlated firing in cells of the lateral geniculate nucleus. Mixed parvocellular and magnocellular geniculate signals in visual area V4
• Abstracts: Protein memory through altered folding mediated by intramolecular chaperones. Chaperones classified
• Abstracts: Possible blindsight in infants lacking one cerebral hemisphere. A forkhead-domain gene is mutated in a severe speech and language disorder
• Abstracts: Copulation frequency in birds: why do females copulate more than once with the same male. Peacocks with low mating success are more likely to suffer predation

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.