A Mn2(+)-dependent ribozyme.
An RNA hairpin identical in sequence with the one formed during autocyclization of the 414-nucleotide Tetrahymena intervening sequence undergoes strand scission at a specific site in the presence of Mn2+. In addition to representing one of the smallest and simplest ribozymes possible, strand scission occurs readily under physiological conditions, is unaffected by the presence of Mg2+, and displays salt, pH, and temperature optima of potential use in exploiting Mn2+ as a regulatory switch in intact cells. The chemistry of strand scission of the RNA hairpin is described, as is the Mn2(+)-dependent solvolysis of a 231-nucleotide RNA transcript containing this structural motif.
Dange
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Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22901.
Van Atta
R B
RB
Hecht
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SM
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D007438:Introns; D008345:Manganese / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012326:RNA Splicing / Q000187:drug effects*; D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013768:Tetrahymena / Q000235:genetics*
D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D008345:Manganese