AMINOACYL-RNA SYNTHESIS CATALYZED BY AN RNA

An RNA has been selected that rapidly aminoacylates its 2'(3') terminu s when provided with phenylalanyl-adenosine monophosphate. That is, th e RNA accelerates the same aminoacyl group transfer catalyzed by prote in aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetases. The best characterized RNA reac tion requires both Mg2+ and Ca2+. These results confirm a necessary pr ediction of the RNA world hypothesis and represent efficient RNA react ion (greater than or equal to 10(5) times accelerated) at a carbonyl c arbon, exemplifying a little explored type of RNA catalysis.