Summary information and primary citation

PDB-id
1m5v; DSSR-derived features in text and JSON formats
Class
translation-RNA
Method
X-ray (2.4 Å)
Summary
Transition state stabilization by a catalytic RNA
Reference
Rupert PB, Massey AP, Sigurdsson ST, Ferre-D'Amare AR (2002): "Transition state stabilization by a catalytic RNA." Science, 298, 1421-1424. doi: 10.1126/science.1076093.
Abstract
The hairpin ribozyme catalyzes sequence-specific cleavage of RNA through transesterification of the scissile phosphate. Vanadate has previously been used as a transition state mimic of protein enzymes that catalyze the same reaction. Comparison of the 2.2 angstrom resolution structure of a vanadate-hairpin ribozyme complex with structures of precursor and product complexes reveals a rigid active site that makes more hydrogen bonds to the transition state than to the precursor or product. Because of the paucity of RNA functional groups capable of general acid-base or electrostatic catalysis, transition state stabilization is likely to be an important catalytic strategy for ribozymes.

Cartoon-block schematics in six views (download the tarball)

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