RNA-Catalyzed CoA, NAD, and FAD synthesis from phosphopantetheine, NMN, and FMN

Biochemistry. 2000 Dec 19;39(50):15548-55. doi: 10.1021/bi002061f.

Abstract

A novel in vitro selection method was developed to isolate RNA sequences with coenzyme-synthesizing activities. We used size-heterogeneous libraries containing randomized ribonucleotide sequences of four different lengths (30N, 60N, 100N, and 140N), all with 5'-ATP initiation. Two RNAs, CoES7 (30N) and CoES21 (60N), are able to catalyze the synthesis of three common coenzymes, CoA, NAD, and FAD, from their precursors, 4'-phosphopantetheine, NMN, and FMN, respectively. Both ribozymes require divalent manganese for activities. The results support the availability of these coenzymes in an RNA world, and point to a chemical explanation for the complex bipartite structures of many coenzymes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Coenzyme A / genetics*
  • Coenzyme A / metabolism
  • Flavin Mononucleotide / metabolism
  • Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide / biosynthesis*
  • Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide / genetics*
  • Gene Library
  • NAD / genetics*
  • NAD / metabolism
  • Nicotinamide Mononucleotide / metabolism
  • Pantetheine / analogs & derivatives
  • Pantetheine / metabolism
  • RNA / genetics*
  • RNA / isolation & purification
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA

Substances

  • NAD
  • Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
  • Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide
  • Pantetheine
  • RNA
  • Flavin Mononucleotide
  • 4'-phosphopantetheine
  • Coenzyme A