Group II introns are mobile ribozymes that self-splice from precursor RNAs to yield excised
intron lariat RNAs, which then invade new genomic DNA sites by reverse splicing. The …

The discovery of RNA-catalyzed phosphodiester bond cleavage by Cech and Altman in
1982− 1983 shattered the paradigm of protein-dependent biological catalysis and opened …

Group II introns are self-splicing ribozymes that catalyze their own excision from precursor
transcripts and insertion into new genetic locations. Here we report the crystal structure of an …

RNA represents a prominent class of biomolecules. Present in all living systems, RNA plays
many essential roles in gene expression, regulation, and development. Accordingly, many …

It has been nearly 63 years since the first characterization of an RNA triple helix in vitro by
Gary Felsenfeld, David Davies, and Alexander Rich. An RNA triple helix consists of three …

The hepatitis delta virus (HDV) ribozyme and HDV-like ribozymes are self-cleaving RNAs
found throughout all kingdoms of life. These RNAs fold into a double-nested pseudoknot …

To catalyze pre-mRNA splicing, U6 small nuclear RNA positions two metals that interact
directly with the scissile phosphates. U6 metal ligands correspond stereospecifically to metal …

Group II introns are some of the largest ribozymes in nature, and they are a major source of
information about RNA assembly and tertiary structural organization. These introns are of …

The observed rates of ribozyme cleavage reactions are strongly dependent on the nature of
the metal ion present. Metal ions can thereby exhibit a stronger inhibiting or accelerating …

It is commonly thought that in the early development of life on this planet RNA would have
acted both as a store of genetic information and as a catalyst. While a number of RNA …