Ribozymes in the nucleolus
JJ Rossi - Science, 1999 - science.org
Science, 1999•science.org
Ribozymes are RNA molecules that behave as enzymes, severing other RNAs at specific
sites into smaller pieces. They may be valuable therapeutic tools for repairing cellular RNAs
transcribed from mutated genes or for destroying unwanted viral RNA transcripts in the cell.
However, targeting ribozymes to the cellular compartment containing their target RNAs has
proved a challenge. Now, Samarsky et al.(1) report that a family of small RNAs in the
nucleolus (snoRNAs) can readily transport ribozymes into this subcellular organelle.There …
sites into smaller pieces. They may be valuable therapeutic tools for repairing cellular RNAs
transcribed from mutated genes or for destroying unwanted viral RNA transcripts in the cell.
However, targeting ribozymes to the cellular compartment containing their target RNAs has
proved a challenge. Now, Samarsky et al.(1) report that a family of small RNAs in the
nucleolus (snoRNAs) can readily transport ribozymes into this subcellular organelle.There …
Ribozymes are RNA molecules that behave as enzymes, severing other RNAs at specific sites into smaller pieces. They may be valuable therapeutic tools for repairing cellular RNAs transcribed from mutated genes or for destroying unwanted viral RNA transcripts in the cell. However, targeting ribozymes to the cellular compartment containing their target RNAs has proved a challenge. Now, Samarsky et al.(1) report that a family of small RNAs in the nucleolus (snoRNAs) can readily transport ribozymes into this subcellular organelle.
There are two major classes of snoRNA, each with its own highly conserved sequence motif. The C/D box snoRNAs regulate 2′-O-methylation of the ribose sugars of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and the H/ACA box snoRNAs guide pseudouridylation of rRNA uridine bases. A few snoRNAs also participate in processing precursor rRNA transcripts (2–4). Most snoRNAs are transcribed and processed in the nucleus, although some may be synthesized in the nucleolus (the nuclear site of rRNA synthesis).
AAAS