title: Modulating RNA structure and catalysis: lessons from small cleaving ribozymes.
abstract: RNA is a key molecule in life, and comprehending its structure/function relationships is a crucial step towards a more complete understanding of molecular biology. Even though most of the information required for their correct folding is contained in their primary sequences, we are as yet unable to accurately predict both the folding pathways and active tertiary structures of RNA species. Ribozymes are interesting molecules to study when addressing these questions because any modifications in their structures are often reflected in their catalytic properties. The recent progress in the study of the structures, the folding pathways and the modulation of the small ribozymes derived from natural, self-cleaving, RNA motifs have significantly contributed to today's knowledge in the field.
authors.affiliation: RNA Group/Groupe ARN, Département de biochimie, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada.
authors.forename: Cedric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reymond
authors.forename: Jean-Denis
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Beaudoin
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Perreault
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002384:Catalysis; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016337:RNA, Catalytic / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D012313:RNA