title: Nucleobase participation in ribozyme catalysis.
abstract: We constructed a modified form of the VS ribozyme containing an imidazole ring in place of adenine at position 756. The novel ribozyme is active in both cleavage and ligation reactions. The reaction is efficient, although relatively slow. The results are consistent with a role for nucleobase catalysis in the catalytic mechanism of this ribozyme.
authors.affiliation: CR-UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group, MSI/WTB Complex, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
authors.forename: Zheng-Yun
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Aileen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McLeod
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harusawa
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Araki
authors.forename: Maho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Takushi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.forename: David M J
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lilley
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002384:Catalysis; D004722:Endoribonucleases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016337:RNA, Catalytic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012265:Ribonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D012265:Ribonucleotides; D012313:RNA; D004722:Endoribonucleases; C438195:varkud satellite ribozyme