Ribozymes

Ribozymes are specialized molecules made of RNA that can act as enzymes, meaning they can speed up chemical reactions in cells. Unlike proteins, which are the usual enzymes, ribozymes are composed of RNA and have the unique ability to cut and join other RNA molecules. They play important roles in processes like gene regulation and the processing of RNA messages. Discovered in the 1980s, ribozymes revealed that RNA is not just a genetic messenger but can also have catalytic functions, expanding our understanding of biological activity and evolution.