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PMID: 2424025 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

A model for the RNA-catalyzed replication of RNA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America ·Vol. 83 ·No. 12 ·1986-06-00 ·Pages 4360-3

Cech TR

Abstract

A shortened form of the self-splicing ribosomal RNA intervening sequence of Tetrahymena thermophila has enzymatic activity as a poly(cytidylic acid) polymerase [Zaug, A.J. & Cech, T.R. (1986) Science 231, 470-475]. Based on the known properties of this enzyme, a detailed model is developed for the template-dependent synthesis of RNA by an RNA polymerase itself made of RNA. The monomer units for RNA synthesis are tetra- and pentanucleotides of random base sequence. Polymerization occurs in a 5'-to-3' direction, and elongation rates are expected to approach two residues per minute. If the RNA enzyme could use another copy of itself as a template, RNA self-replication could be achieved. Thus, it seems possible that RNA catalysts might have played a part in prebiotic nucleic acid replication, prior to the availability of useful proteins.

MeSH Terms
Catalysis DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases RNA/biosynthesis,physiology RNA Splicing RNA, Ribosomal/genetics Templates, Genetic Tetrahymena/genetics
Chemicals
RNA, Ribosomal RNA DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases
Authors & Affiliations
1 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Cech T R
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40 references, click to expand
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Article Info
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Abbr.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
ISSN
0027-8424
DOI
10.1073/pnas.83.12.4360
Published
1986-06-00
Pages
4360-3
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
7505876
PMCID
PMC323732
Subset
IM
Grants
NIGMS NIH HHS · GM28039 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1073/pnas.83.12.4360 PMC Full Text View journal details
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