Abstact

Pistol ribozymes constitute a new class of small self-cleaving RNAs. Crystal structures have been solved, providing three-dimensional snapshots along the reaction coordinate of pistol phosphodiester cleavage, corresponding to the pre-catalytic state, a vanadate mimic of the transition state, and the product. The results led to the proposed underlying chemical mechanism. Importantly, a hydrated Mg2+ ion remains innersphere-coordinated to N7 of G33 in all three states, and is consistent with its likely role as acid in general acid base catalysis (δ and β catalysis). Strikingly, the new structures shed light on a second hydrated Mg2+ ion that approaches the scissile phosphate from its binding site in the pre-cleavage state to reach out for water-mediated hydrogen bonding in the cyclophosphate product. The major role of the second Mg2+ ion appears to be the stabilization of product conformation. This study delivers a mechanistic understanding of ribozyme-catalyzed backbone cleavage.