title: The chemistry of self-splicing RNA and RNA enzymes.
abstract: Proteins are not the only catalysts of cellular reactions; there is a growing list of RNA molecules that catalyze RNA cleavage and joining reactions. The chemical mechanisms of RNA-catalyzed reactions are discussed with emphasis on the self-splicing ribosomal RNA precursor of Tetrahymena and the enzymatic activities of its intervening sequence RNA. Wherever appropriate, catalysis by RNA is compared to catalysis by protein enzymes.
mesh_terms: D002625:Chemistry, Organic; D003500:Cyclization; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D006868:Hydrolysis; D055601:Organic Chemistry Phenomena; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D012316:RNA Nucleotidyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D012326:RNA Splicing; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D012266:Ribose / Q000378:metabolism; D013768:Tetrahymena / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012313:RNA; D012266:Ribose; D012316:RNA Nucleotidyltransferases; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases