New Insights into the Dependence of CPEB3 Ribozyme Cleavage on Mn and Mg.

CPEB3 ribozyme is a self-cleaving RNA that occurs naturally in mammals and requires divalent metal ions for efficient activity. Ribozymes exhibit preferences for specific metal ions, but the exact differences in the catalytic mechanisms of various metal ions on the CPEB3 ribozyme remain unclear. Our findings reveal that Mn functions as a more effective cofactor for CPEB3 ribozyme catalysis compared to Mg, as confirmed by its stronger binding affinity to CPEB3 by EPR.