Specific interaction between the self-splicing RNA of Tetrahymena and its guanosine substrate: implications for biological catalysis by RNA.
Splicing of the ribosomal RNA precursor of Tetrahymena has previously been shown to require no protein in vitro; the cleavage-ligation activity is intrinsic to the RNA molecule. Analysis of the reaction kinetics with guanosine, which is a substrate in the reaction, and with several guanosine analogues suggests that guanosine binds to a specific site on the pre-rRNA. It appears that the RNA, like an enzyme, binds its substrate to promote the rate and specificity of a biological reaction.
D000818:Animals; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D006151:Guanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D009694:Nucleic Acid Precursors / Q000235:genetics*; D012322:RNA Precursors; D012326:RNA Splicing; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics*; D012260:Ribonucleases; D013768:Tetrahymena / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D009694:Nucleic Acid Precursors; D012322:RNA Precursors; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D006151:Guanosine; D012260:Ribonucleases