RNA catalysis through compartmentalization

Christopher A. Strulson, Rosalynn C. Molden, Christine D. Keating, Philip C. Bevilacqua

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

290 Scopus citations

Abstract

RNA performs important cellular functions in contemporary life forms. Its ability to act both as a catalyst and a storage mechanism for genetic information is also an important part of the RNA world hypothesis. Compartmentalization within modern cells allows the local concentration of RNA to be controlled and it has been suggested that this was also important in early life forms. Here, we mimic intracellular compartmentalization and macromolecular crowding by partitioning RNA in an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). We show that the concentration of RNA is enriched by up to 3,000-fold in the dextran-rich phase of a polyethylene glycol/dextran ATPS and demonstrate that this can lead to approximately 70-fold increase in the rate of ribozyme cleavage. This rate enhancement can be tuned by the relative volumes of the two phases in the ATPS. Our observations support the importance of compartmentalization in the attainment of function in an RNA World as well as in modern biology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)941-946
Number of pages6
JournalNature Chemistry
Volume4
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering

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