THE NEW-WORLD OF RIBOZYMES

The number of RNA molecules that have novel catalytic activities has d ramatically increased during the past two years. This ribozymic boom i s not due to the discovery of additional examples of natural ribozymes but rather to the development of artificial ribozymes isolated by in vitro selection and evolution techniques. The structural and functiona l complexities of these artificial ribozymes, however, do not match th ose of the larger natural ribozymes. The understanding of both RNA str ucture and catalysis performed by natural and artificial ribozymes pav es the way for the creation of RNA molecules that are able to efficien tly catalyze more complex reactions. (C) Current Biology Ltd.