RNA ribozyme polymerases, dephosphorylases, restriction endoribonucleases and methods
US4987071A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12N2310/1241
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
RNA enzymes or ribozymes can act as endoribonucleases, catalyzing the cleavage of RNA molecules with a sequence specificity of cleavage greater than that of known ribonucleases and approaching that of the DNA restriction endonucleases, thus serving as RNA sequence specific endoribonucleases. An example is a shortened form of the self-splicing ribosomal RNA intervening sequence of Tetrahymena (L-19 IVS RNA). Site-specific mutagenesis of the enzyme active site of the L-19 IVS RNA alters the substrate sequence specificity in a predictable manner, allowing a set of sequence-specific endoribonucleases to be synthesized. Varying conditions allow the ribozyme to act as a polymerase (nucleotidyltransferase), a dephosphorylase (acid phosphatase or phosphotransferase) or a sequence-specific endoribonuclease.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.