Nucleic Acids

Enzymes for Nucleic Acids

The discovery of a natural RNA catalyst led chemical biologists to search for synthetic nucleic acids with catalytic properties. These synthetic nucleic acid enzymes can build DNA or ribozymes. Nucleic acids with catalytic activity are known as "nucleic acid enzymes." In nature, ribozymes are responsible for the breaking and formation of phosphodiester bonds as well as the production of peptide bonds.

catalytic function

Peptide bond in ribozymes