ribozymes?

[staticmorning]

im pretty sure we need to look at the box a bit closer to figure anything huge out, but heres how my friend (with help from his AP Bio notes..) tried to ribosymes them to me..


There's a thing called RNA SPLICING where all of the useless RNA segments (introns --- Exons are the useful ones) are cut off of the RNA segment, and the good parts are stuck back together. The ribozyme is the molecule that starts the whole process (catalyzes). It breaks the (covalent atomic) bonds that hold the pieces together.

((or as i so eloquently put it..)) so they just randomly decide.. hey its spring cleaning time.. lets get rid of the bad stuff and then hire a bunch of maids?

The "spring cleaning" goes on when the mRna is leaving the nucleus, because if all of the useless parts are still in, there's enzymes outside the nucleus and inside that will screw up the code, or even "turn off" the rna

so the mRNA tries to deliever whatever it is its suppose to delieve.. i dont remember what..btw. mRNA is a copy of the DNA code, which is what the cell uses as an "instructino book" to make proteins." and in order to make is job eaier and make it harder to get destroyed by all the nasty stuff, the ribosymes spring clean so theres less info to deliver..?

this way, only the important stuff gets sent out of the nucleus.



i dont know that this will be of any help, but now i understand what they are at least.. i hope it can help someone else grasp the concept too..
and, please, if you realise something's wrong here, let me know..

[LittleChickie]

That seems right from what I can remember from class. I just sucks that I threw away my notes on this stuff only a week ago. ha!

[The_CW]

You're friend has the right idea. I'm doing further research right now to see what the importance of ribozymes would be to people like the Order. Personally, I think it might have something to do with financial gain, but who knows?

[mindinflight]

i dont know that this will be of any help, but now i understand what they are at least.. i hope it can help someone else grasp the concept too..
and, please, if you realise something's wrong here, let me know..

From what I can tell, you're spot on, and describing that last little bit of transcription (the part of protein synthesis where the DNA code is "photocopied" onto mRNA and dumped into the cytoplasm before it's assaulted by riboSOMEs and protein babies are made!)

I think the interesting thing about ribozymes is that they are autocatalytic -- meaning, they can organize their own splitting, and synthesis. In simpler terms, ribozymes could be responsible for the earliest life forms possible, because they have a way of copying and re-copying themselves, maybe even to the point of pulling together a very rudimentary organism.

Maybe that's what the Order is after? My theory is that they are looking to "recreate life" using whatever part of Bree's inner biology that they need. What they'll do with that knowledge once they gain it... is anyone's guess, I suppose. Cloning? Genetic manipulation? A cure for aging? Or death?!

Questions, questions. So many questions.

[LittleChickie]

They could use the knowledge for themselves. Immortality? Maybe that's what the new members are needed for. To be guinea pigs for them.

After they get it perfected they could try to sell it to others. Make big bucks off of it.

Even if it was cloning they could claim they could technically live forever. ha

[The_CW]

Alright. I just found something really interesting. I found a page that says that ribozymes are very important in finding a cure for HIV, and many other diseases. Maybe the Order wants to find a cure for HIV so they can make loads of money? I'll throw the link up, and let you all have a look for yourselves.

http://www.uchsc.edu/sm/deptmed/ribozymes/index.htm

[staticmorning]

In simpler terms, ribozymes could be responsible for the earliest life forms possible, because they have a way of copying and re-copying themselves, maybe even to the point of pulling together a very rudimentary organism.

Maybe that's what the Order is after? My theory is that they are looking to "recreate life" using whatever part of Bree's inner biology that they need.

I read that as well, and thought the same thing. The order could definately profit ( in more ways then one ) from being able to create life.

What they'll do with that knowledge once they gain it... is anyone's guess, I suppose. Cloning? Genetic manipulation? A cure for aging? Or death?!

I recall someone mentioning a cure for death once, and that freaks me out.


One thing I dont get, if they just need the ribosymes, couldn't the order have just drawn blood to take them out of and been on their merry way? or better yet, create their own in a lab..?


EDITED: because i got ninja-posted about the whole HIV / cancer thing..

[GregGallows]

There really is no greater victory or power than eternal life.

[The_CW]

Humans aren't meant to be immortal. That's why we've been dying for millions of years.

[trainer101]

Did someone say "Cure for Death"? Check out the Facility J discussions in the ARG section at the bottom of the forum. The exact same conversations are going on. Or you can check out my stuff from months ago... HERE

[mindinflight]

One thing I dont get, if they just need the ribosymes, couldn't the order have just drawn blood to take them out of and been on their merry way? or better yet, create their own in a lab..?

You're forgetting, naturally-occuring ribozymes are extremely rare, even in a girl like Bree, who's been blessed with an over-abundance. And then there's the fact that the autocatalysis thing I mentioned above is pretty rare in itself; that said, they'd need a hell of a lot of her blood to try for even the smallest chance of extracting what they need and being successful in their "merry way."

[LittleChickie]

Humans aren't meant to be immortal. That's why we've been dying for millions of years.

Most have the thought of some kind of afterlife waiting for them after death. Though when a "religion" that doesn't believe in the afterlife comes around they are going to want a way not to die. Having nothing waiting for you afterward is a hard thought to deal with. Probably drove some mad and want to find a cure for death. Immortality=no worring about have nothing after death=not going mad before you die

[staticmorning]

for those of us who are a little bit scientifically challenged.. i present (once again) an explination from the best explainer ever, my friend kyle...

this time on the attempts to use ribosymes to help get rid of HIV..

looks like they're trying to use Ribozymes to destroy the HIV rna that it uses to reproduce itself

so theyre using ribosymes to destroy bad rna.. which is what it usually does anyway..?

Right, execpt HIV RNA is resistant, it cuts out the good parts of the cell, and replaces it with HIV that is pretty much in a good guy costume, so it gets by, and the things don't notice it.

so if they put more of them into HIV infected cells.. they can "hire bigger. stronger maids"..?

maybe not more ribozymes in a cell, but if the make a " a stronger ribozyme" like say a cellular Hulk Hogan, then it might work.

so theyre trying to make a stronger ribosyme that can pretty much throw the big bad HIV out..?

yes! bigger Bouncers for Club Cell!

[immortal1]

Humans aren't meant to be immortal. That's why we've been dying for millions of years.

Speak for yourself

[staticmorning]

You're forgetting, naturally-occuring ribozymes are extremely rare, even in a girl like Bree, who's been blessed with an over-abundance. And then there's the fact that the autocatalysis thing I mentioned above is pretty rare in itself; that said, they'd need a hell of a lot of her blood to try for even the smallest chance of extracting what they need and being successful in their "merry way."

I wasnt aware that ribozymes were rare. I thought everyone had them, but Bree had more then usual.

ETA : if someone were to not have them, how would their RNA splice without anything to start the whole process off, like the ribozymes do..?