Experimental Evolution of Complexity: In Vitro Emergence of Intermolecular Ribozyme Interactions

Authors

Martin M. Hanczyc, Yale University
Robert L. Dorit, Yale UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-1998

Publication Title

RNA

Abstract

In the course of evolving variants of the Tetrahymena thermophila Group I ribozyme for improved DNA cleavage in vitro, we witnessed the unexpected emergence of a derived molecular species, capable of acting as a partner for the ribozyme, but no longer autocatalytic. This new RNA species exhibits a deletion in the catalytic core and participates in a productive intermolecular interaction with an active ribozyme, thus insuring its survival in the population. These novel RNA molecules have evolved a precise catalytic interaction with the Group I ribozyme and depend for their survival on the continued presence of active catalysts. This interaction hints at the complexity that may inevitably arise even in simple evolving systems.

Keywords

Catalytic RNA, In vitro selection, Nucleic acids, Self-organization

Volume

4

Issue

3

First Page

268

Last Page

275

ISSN

13558382

Comments

Archived as published. Open access article.

Recommended Citation

Hanczyc, Martin M. and Dorit, Robert L., "Experimental Evolution of Complexity: In Vitro Emergence of Intermolecular Ribozyme Interactions" (1998). Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/bio_facpubs/229