Ribozymes that use redox cofactors

Tsukiji, S.; Ramaswamy, K.; Suga, H.

doi:10.1351/pac200476071525

Pure Appl. Chem., 2004, Vol. 76, No. 7-8, pp. 1525-1536

http://dx.doi.org/10.1351/pac200476071525

Ribozymes that use redox cofactors

S. Tsukiji, K. Ramaswamy and H. Suga

Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan; Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260-3000, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260-3000, USA; Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan

Abstract: This review summarizes the history and most recent advances in aptamers and ribozymes that bind and use redox (reduction–oxidation) cofactors. Redox reactions, catalyzed by protein enzymes in an extant world, play a central role in the metabolism of numerous biological molecules in the living organisms. The burden of catalyzing these reactions in a pre-protein-based world (i.e., the hypothesized RNA World) could have been borne by RNA molecules. To this end, we raise a fundamental question: can RNA accelerate the redox chemical transformation? We hope that this article will be able to shed light on this intriguing question.