Effects of Cosolvents on the Folding and Catalytic Activities of the Hammerhead Ribozyme. Issue 12 (6th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakano, Shu‐ichi; Kitagawa, Yuichi; Yamashita, Hirofumi; Miyoshi, Daisuke; Sugimoto, Naoki
• Is Part Of: Chembiochem. Volume 16:Issue 12(2015)
• Page Start: 1803
• Page End: 1810
• Publication Date: 2015-07-06
• Subjects: Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Periodicals; 572
• DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500139
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1439-4227

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The RNA cleavage activity of the hammerhead ribozyme has been compared in various mixed aqueous solutions containing cosolvents. Kinetic analysis revealed that the tested cosolvents enhanced the ribozyme activity, particularly at low MgCl₂ concentrations. These enhancements, in some cases of more than tenfold, resulted from a reduction in the Mg²⁺ concentration required for substrate cleavage. An inverse correlation was found between the MgCl₂ concentration essential for efficient catalysis and the dielectric constant values. In contrast, FRET measurements showed no substantial influence of cosolvents on the Mg²⁺‐induced structural transitions. The results suggest that the solution environment has various effects on the Mg²⁺ interactions involved in the catalysis and global folding of the ribozyme.</p> </abstract>