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Specific interaction between the self-splicing RNA of Tetrahymena and its guanosine substrate: implications for biological catalysis by RNA

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Abstract

Splicing of the ribosomal RNA precursor of Tetrahymena has previously been shown to require no protein in vitro; the cleavage–ligation activity is intrinsic to the RNA molecule. Analysis of the reaction kinetics with guanosine, which is a substrate in the reaction, and with several guanosine analogues suggests that guanosine binds to a specific site on the pre-rRNA. It appears that the RNA, like an enzyme, binds its substrate to promote the rate and specificity of a biological reaction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80309, USA

    Brenda L. Bass & Thomas R. Cech

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  1. Brenda L. Bass
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  2. Thomas R. Cech
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Bass, B., Cech, T. Specific interaction between the self-splicing RNA of Tetrahymena and its guanosine substrate: implications for biological catalysis by RNA. Nature 308, 820–826 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/308820a0

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