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Ribozymes: biology, biochemistry, and implications for clinical medicine

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Abstract

Ribozymes are a class of ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules that possess enzymatic properties. Upon binding to complementary nucleic acid strands, catalytic degradation takes place via a cleavage reaction. In effect, inactivation of susceptible substrate RNA molecules takes place at a catalytic rate and with a high degree of substrate specificity. This article reviews the biology and biochemistry of this class of molecules and its potential applications in clinical medicine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology and Applied Molecular Biology, Universitätsklinikum Rudolf Virchow and Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Lindenberger Weg 80, D-13122, Berlin, Germany

    M. Kiehntopf, E. L. Esquivel, M. A. Brach & F. Herrmann

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  1. M. Kiehntopf
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  2. E. L. Esquivel
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  3. M. A. Brach
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  4. F. Herrmann
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Kiehntopf, M., Esquivel, E.L., Brach, M.A. et al. Ribozymes: biology, biochemistry, and implications for clinical medicine. J Mol Med 73, 65–71 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00270579

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00270579

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