HDV Ribozyme Structure
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Click on the image to see the full-size view, or watch a movie of the model rotation (1.14MB). (Download QuickTime) |
Click on the image to see the full-size view, or watch a
movie of the self-cleavage reaction (1.08MB). (Download QuickTime) |
- Co-crystal structure of the genomic HDV ribozyme bound to the U1A-RBD protein (a small, basic protein that facilitates crystallization and does not affect ribozyme activity). The 2.3-Å structure shows that the compact catalytic core comprises five helical segments connected as an intricate nested double pseudoknot. The gold ball represents the catalytically critical divalent metal ion at the active site.
- Comparison of crystal structures of the ribozyme in the pre- and post-cleavage states (panes 1 and 2, respectively) reveals a significant conformational change in the RNA after cleavage and that a catalytically critical divalent metal ion from the active site is ejected.
References:
- Ke, A., Zhou, K., Ding, F., Cate, J.H.D. and Doudna, J.A. (2004) A conformational switch controls hepatitis delta virus ribozyme catalysis. Nature 429, 201-205. (348KB PDF)
- Ferré-D'Amaré, A.R., Zhou, K. and Doudna J.A. (1998) Crystal structure of a hepatitis delta virus ribozyme. Nature 395, 567-574. (684KB PDF)