| The evolutionary relationship between RNA- and protein-based biocatalysts was key to the evolution of living systems. This relationship is thought to have depended upon the transfer of both genetic information and catalytic function in living systems. We investigated whether ribozymes could transfer genetic information and catalytic function at the chemical level. We identified a family of peptides encoded by ribozymes: 13-residue peptide encoded by the hammerhead ribozyme, a 19-residue peptide encoded by the genomic hepatitis delta virus (HDV+) ribozyme, a 25-residue peptide encoded by the antigenomic HDV (HDV-) ribozyme, a 15-residue peptide encoded by the smallest trans-acting genomic HDV (SHDV) ribozyme, and a 22-residue peptide encoded by an open... |
