Discovered by Thomas Cech and Sidney Altman, they are RNA molecules that act as enzymes, that is, possess catalytic activity and can specifically cleave (cut) other RNA molecules. The ribozyme (RNA) molecule and the other RNA molecule come together; whereupon the ribozyme molecule cuts the other RNA molecule at a specific defined (three-base) site. Because the ribozyme molecule acts as an enzyme in this reaction, the ribozyme molecule is not consumed or destroyed, but goes on to cut other RNA molecules.
Sections of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) the principle molecule in a cell carrying genetic information that act as enzymes. The function of the ribozyme is to transform the message encoded in DNA into proteins, using its property of catalysing chemical reactions in a cell. Most ribozymes act only on other pieces of ribonucleic acid (RNA), editing the messenger type the carries instructions to the parts of the cell that makes proteins. This editing ability is being used by scientists researching ways of correcting faulty genes which can cause inherited disorders. This aim is to persuade the ribozyme to inhibit the messenger RNA to prevent production of the faulty gene. Ribozymes might also be used to disrupt infectious agents, such as viruses, which rely on RNA to invade body cells.
An RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecule that functions as an enzyme (catalyst) and either cleaves (breaks down) other forms of RNA or catalyzes other biochemical reactions occurring within cells.