Beau Hammel, Matt Foehrenbacher, and Katie Jermihov

Fall 2005

The fact that not all enzymes are proteins may be demonstrated by the RNA self-splicing group I intron.  This model depicts a complete group I bacterial intron complexed with both the 5’- and 3’- exons.  During splicing, the intron will be removed, leaving only the exon portion of RNA.  Whereas splicing is typically catalyzed by a ribonucleoprotein called a spliceosome, this comples catalyzes the excision of its own intron without the addition of accessory factors.   

Click to show Intron (white), 3' Exon (red), and 5' Exon (blue) [spacefill]

Click to show Intron (white), 3' Exon (red), and 5' Exon (blue) [wireframe]

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Sources:

Adams, P.L. Stahley, M.R, Kosek, A.B. Wang, J. Strobel, S.A. Crystal Structures of a self-splicing group I intron with both exons.  Nature.  430, 45-50 (1 July 2004)