A Hexameric Ribozyme Nanostructure Formed by Double-Decker Assembly of a Pair of Triangular Ribozyme Trimers

The modular architecture of naturally occurring ribozymes makes them a promising class of structural platform for the design and assembly of three-dimensional (3D) RNA nanostructures, into which the catalytic ability of the platform ribozyme can be installed. We have constructed and analyzed RNA nanostructures with polygonal-shaped (closed) ribozyme oligomers by assembling unit RNAs derived from the Tetrahymena group I intron with a typical modular architecture. In this study, we dimerized ribozyme trimers with a triangular shape by introducing three pillar units. The resulting double-decker nanostructures containing six ribozyme units were characterized biochemically and their structures were observed by atomic force microscopy. The double-decker hexamers exhibited higher catalytic activity than the parent ribozyme trimers.

Automated summary

Naturally occurring ribozymes with modular architecture are promising for designing and assembling three-dimensional RNA nanostructures with catalytic abilities. In this study, RNA nanostructures with polygonal-shaped ribozyme oligomers were constructed using unit RNAs from the Tetrahymena group I intron, and ribozyme trimers with a triangular shape were dimerized by introducing pillar units. The resulting double-decker nanostructures containing six ribozyme units showed higher catalytic activity than the parent ribozyme trimers.