STRUCTURE-FUNCTION STUDIES OF THE HAMMERHEAD RIBOZYME

Elucidation of the catalytic mechanism and structure-function relation ship studies of the hammerhead ribozyme continue to be an area of inte nsive research. A combination of diverse approaches, such as X ray cry stallography, spectral studies, chemical modifications, sequence varia tions and kinetic analyses, have provided valuable insight into the cl eavage mechanism of this ribozyme. The hammerhead ribozyme crystal str uctures have provided valuable insight into conformational deformation s needed to attain the catalytically active structure. Similarly, dete rmination of ribozyme solution structure by spectroscopic analyses and the effect of divalent metal ions on RNA folding has further aided in the construction of a model for hammermead catalysis.