Witnessing the structural evolution of an RNA enzyme

• Published in: eLife Vol. 10
• Main Authors: Portillo, Xavier, Huang, Yu-Ting, Breaker, Ronald R, Horning, David P, Joyce, Gerald F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England eLife Science Publications, Ltd 09.09.2021; eLife Sciences Publications Ltd; eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
• Subjects: Analysis; Binding sites; Biochemistry and Chemical Biology; Catalysis; Catalytic Domain; Catalytic RNA; Directed evolution; Directed Molecular Evolution; DNA-directed RNA polymerase; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases - chemistry; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases - genetics; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases - metabolism; Enzymes; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Evolution; Evolution, Molecular; Laboratories; molecular evolution; Mutation; Nucleic Acid Conformation; Phylogeny; Polymerization; Population; Protein Conformation; Reproductive fitness; ribozyme; RNA polymerase; RNA, Catalytic - chemistry; RNA, Catalytic - genetics; RNA, Catalytic - metabolism; Sequence analysis; Site-directed mutagenesis; Structure-Activity Relationship; RNA polymerase; none; chemical biology; molecular evolution; biochemistry; ribozyme

An RNA polymerase ribozyme that has been the subject of extensive directed evolution efforts has attained the ability to synthesize complex functional RNAs, including a full-length copy of its own evolutionary ancestor. During the course of evolution, the catalytic core of the ribozyme has undergone...