The discovery of ribozymes is credited to Thomas R. Cech and Sidney Altman, who shared the 1989 Nobel Prize in chemistry for their findings on the catalytic properties of RNA. The term "ribozyme" itself was first introduced by Kelly Kruger et al. in a paper published in Cell in 1982.
Understanding Ribozymes
Ribozymes are RNA molecules that can act as biological catalysts, similar to protein enzymes. This was a revolutionary discovery because, traditionally, it was believed that only proteins could function as enzymes. The identification of ribozymes broadened our understanding of RNA's role in the cell and led to significant advancements in molecular biology.
Key Contributions:
| Researcher(s) | Contribution | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas R. Cech and Sidney Altman | Discovery of catalytic properties of RNA, establishing RNA's ability to act as enzymes. | 1989 |
| Kelly Kruger et al. | Introduced the term "ribozyme" in a scientific publication. | 1982 |
Significance of Ribozyme Discovery:
- Challenged the traditional view that only proteins can be enzymes.
- Revealed the catalytic potential of RNA, leading to new insights into its biological functions.
- Opened avenues for understanding the origins of life and the role of RNA in early life forms.
- Enabled the development of novel biotechnological tools, such as RNA-based therapeutics.
- Led to a deeper understanding of RNA's catalytic role in processes like protein synthesis.
In summary, while Kelly Kruger et al. coined the term "ribozyme", it was the work of Thomas R. Cech and Sidney Altman, for which they won the Nobel Prize, that demonstrated RNA's catalytic abilities. Therefore, they are considered the discoverers of ribozymes as functional catalysts.
