A small metalloribozyme with a two-step mechanism.

Pan, T; Uhlenbeck, O C · Nature · 1992

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

An RNA molecule consisting of an asymmetric internal loop of six nucleotides can be rapidly and specifically cleaved by Pb2+ in the presence of Mg2+. The 5' cleavage product terminates with a 3' phosphomonoester generated from a 2',3'-cyclic phosphodiester reaction intermediate. This two-step reaction mechanism resembles that of many protein ribonucleases but has not previously been observed for reactions catalysed by RNA.

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