The Tetrahymena ribozyme acts like an RNA restriction endonuclease.
A shortened form of the Tetrahymena self-splicing ribosomal RNA intervening sequence acts as an endoribonuclease, catalysing the cleavage of large RNA molecules by a mechanism involving guanosine transfer. The sequence specificity approaches that of the DNA restriction endonucleases. Site-specific mutagenesis of the enzyme active site alters the substrate sequence specificity in a predictable manner, so that endoribonucleases can be synthesized to cut at a variety of tetranucleotide sequences.
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D007700:Kinetics; D009154:Mutation; D012326:RNA Splicing; D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000378:metabolism*; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013768:Tetrahymena / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics
D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal