Abstract
Novel RNA enzymes, or ribozymes, are sought in large pools of random RNA sequences. Because of the large number of random positions in an individual pool molecule, only a vanishingly small fraction of the possible sequences are actually present. Even so, increasing the length of the individual pool molecules significantly increases the probability of finding a particular complex ribozyme. Because ribozymes are typically composed of conserved sequences interleaved with regions that can vary in sequence and length, a longer molecule allows a greater number of possible arrangements of a given ribozyme motif, increasing the likelihood that it will be present in the pool. Once a ribozyme motif has been found, rational and irrational optimization techniques can be used to identify related ribozyme sequences with greater activity.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 459-465 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Trends in Biotechnology |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biotechnology
- Bioengineering