RNA | Ribozymes and Evolution

Catalytic RNAs, known as ribozymes, play many important roles in biology. Such RNA enzymes are central to protein synthesis and the regulation of gene expression. Ribozymes have also been produced in the laboratory using artificial rather than natural selection. We discuss the 14 naturally occurring phylogenetically conserved ribozymes discovered to date, together with the evolution of multidomain ribozymes selected in the laboratory. Together, these natural and manmade ribozymes support the hypothesis that early in the evolution of life metabolic and replicative processes were dominated by RNA catalysts.