Information About

Ribonuclease

RNAses are extremely common in the modern world, resulting in very short lifespans for any RNA that is not in a protected environment.

MAJOR TYPES

RNase A is an RNase that is commonly used in research. RNase A (e.g., bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A: , ) is one of the hardiest enzymes in common laboratory usage; one method of isolating it is to boil a crude cellular extract until all enzymes other than RNase A are Denatured .

RNase P is a type of ribonuclease and is currently under heavy research. RNase P is unique from other RNases in that it is a Ribozyme – a Ribonucleic Acid that acts as a catalyst in the same way that a Protein based enzyme would. Its function is to cleave off an extra, or precursor, sequence of RNA on TRNA molecules. Further RNase P is one of two known multiple turnover ribozymes in nature (the other being the Ribosome ).

RNase H is a ribonuclease that cleaves the RNA in a DNA/RNA duplex to produce ssDNA. RNase H is a non-specific endonuclease and catalyzes the cleavage of RNA via an hydrolytic mechanism, aided by an enzyme-bound divalent metal ion. In contrast to other ribonucleases, such as RNase A or RNase T1, RNase H leaves a 3'-phosphorylated product.