Ribozymes and their medical implications

Journal Article · Fri Nov 25 00:00:00 EST 1988 · JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.260.20.3030· OSTI ID:6146141

Cech, T R

Certain RNA molecules can mediate their own cleavage or splicing or act as enzymes to promote reactions on substrate RNA molecules. Thus, RNA is not restricted to being a passive carrier of genetic information but can have an active role in directing cellular biochemistry. These findings suggest the possibility that other cellular RNA's, including the RNA components of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, of the ribosome, and of various ribonucleoprotein enzymes, are catalysts. RNA enzymes (ribozymes) can be used as sequence-specific RNA cleavage agents in vitro, providing useful tools for biochemical studies of RNA. On a more speculative note, ribozymes directed against viral RNAs have the potential of serving as therapeutic agents. Finally, some infectious agents including hepatitis delta virus and perhaps poliovirus and rhinoviruses, are themselves ribozymes, providing potential targets for pharmaceuticals.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Colorado, Boulder (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6146141
• Journal Information: JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States), Vol. 260:20
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
NUCLEOPROTEINS
BIOCHEMISTRY
RNA
ENZYME ACTIVITY
BIOLOGICAL PATHWAYS
ENDONUCLEASES
GENETICS
LIGASES
PHOSPHORYLATION
RIBOSOMAL RNA
RIBOSOMES
SUBSTRATES
TETRAHYMENA
VIRUSES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGY
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
CILIATA
DNA-ASE
ENZYMES
ESTERASES
HYDROLASES
INVERTEBRATES
MICROORGANISMS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANOIDS
PARASITES
PHOSPHODIESTERASES
PROTEINS
PROTOZOA
550200* - Biochemistry