Molecular Anatomy of the Class I Ligase Ribozyme for Elucidation of the Activity-Generating Unit.

ABSTRACT: The class I ligase ribozyme consists of 121 nucleotides and shows a high catalytic rate comparable to that found in natural proteinaceous polymerases. In this study, we aimed to identify the smaller active unit of the class I ligase ribozyme comprising ~50 nucleotides, comparable to the estimated length of prebiotically synthesized RNA. Based on the three-dimensional structure of the class I ligase ribozyme, mutants were prepared and their ligation activities were analyzed. Sufficient ligation activity was maintained even when shortening to 94 nucleotides. However, because it would be difficult to approach the target of ~50 nucleotides by removing only the partial structure, the class I ligase ribozyme was then split into two molecules. The ligation activity was maintained even when splitt

SUBMITTER: Kasuga M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10376402 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature