What Is a Ribozyme?

Ribozyme is a small molecule RNA with catalytic function ^[1] , which belongs to biocatalyst and can degrade specific mRNA sequences.

In 1982, the American scientist T. Cech and his colleagues found in the study that "the DNA sequence of the tetramenem-encoding rRNA precursor contains a spacer intron sequence", the RNA that splices introns has a catalytic function, and therefore Won the 1989 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. ^[1]

Compared with ordinary translated RNA, ribozymes have a more stable spatial structure and are less susceptible to attack by RNases. More importantly, after the ribozyme cuts off the mRNA, it can be released from the hybridization strand to re-bind and cut other mRNA molecules. ^[3]

With the further study of ribozymes, it has been recognized

Ribozyme

With the further study of ribozymes, people have also synthesized some catalytically active DNA.

At present, no naturally occurring catalytic DNA has been found. ^[2]