Abstract
Splicing of the ribosomal RNA precursor of Tetrahymena has previously been shown to require no protein in vitro; the cleavage–ligation activity is intrinsic to the RNA molecule. Analysis of the reaction kinetics with guanosine, which is a substrate in the reaction, and with several guanosine analogues suggests that guanosine binds to a specific site on the pre-rRNA. It appears that the RNA, like an enzyme, binds its substrate to promote the rate and specificity of a biological reaction.
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Bass, B., Cech, T. Specific interaction between the self-splicing RNA of Tetrahymena and its guanosine substrate: implications for biological catalysis by RNA. Nature 308, 820–826 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/308820a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/308820a0
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