Dictionary > Ribozyme

Ribozyme

Definition
noun, plural: ribozymes
RNA molecule that acts as an enzyme in the aminotransferase activity of the ribosome and in the cleavage of its own or another RNA
Supplement
Ribozymes are RNA enzymes that catalyze certain biochemical reactions, such as in the aminotransferase activity of the ribosome and in the cleavage (or ligation) of its own or another RNA. They are also observed to participate in viral replication.
Ribozyme occurs within the ribosome. Ribosomes are biomolecules in the cytoplasm that participate in protein synthesis. Ribosomal RNAs form the two subunits of ribosome, particularly the large subunit and the small subunit. It is the large subunit of the ribosome that acts as ribozyme, catalyzing peptide bond formation between two amino acids.
The discovery of ribozyme in 1982 led to the thought that RNA can be a genetic material as well as a biological catalyst, and therefore, contributed to the RNA world hypothesis. This hypothesis proposed that RNA might have been essential in the evolution of prebiotic self-replicating systems. The study of ribozymes is referred to as ribozymology.
Examples of ribozymes are hammerhead ribozyme, hairpin ribozyme, and leadzyme.
Also called:

  • RNAzyme
  • ribonucleic acid enzyme
  • RNA enzyme

See also:

  • ribosome
  • ribosomal RNA
  • ribonucleic acid
  • Related term(s):


    You will also like...

    Oligodendrocyte and Schwann cell
    The Central Nervous System

    Myelin sheath is essential for a faster conductivity of signals. Know more about this feature of some neurons in the Cen..

    Birth of a Human Baby
    Birth of a Human Baby

    Following nine months inside the mother's womb is the birth of the baby. Know the different stages of the birthing proce..

    New Zealand Fauna
    New Zealand’s Unique Fauna

    Meet some of New Zealand's unique fauna, including endemic insects, frogs, reptiles, birds, and mammals, and investigate..

    Hominid
    The Hominids

    The hominid family diversified from the apes around 6 to 8 million years ago. Since then, the evolutionary path has prov..

    Body temperature regulation by the hypothalamus
    Temperature Regulation in Animals

    This tutorial elucidates body temperature regulation. Know the details here to learn how the body sets the body temperat..

    Photosynthesis and respiration
    Plant Metabolism

    Plants are responsible for incredible feats of molecular transformation. Plant processes, such as photosynthesis, photop..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics