ENHANCEMENT OF RIBOZYME CATALYTIC ACTIVITY BY A NEIGHBORING FACILITATOR OLIGONUCLEOTIDE

摘要

Methods are disclosed for increasing ribozyme catalytic activity without reducing specificity, which methods comprise contacting an RNA molecule with a ribozyme and a facilitator oligonucleotide. The present invention further provides compositions comprising a ribozyme and an effective amount of a facilitator oligonucleotide. Methods are also disclosed for reducing the concentration of Mg2+ and Mn2+ required by a ribozyme to catalytically cleave target RNA.