Theoretical Considerations in Measuring Reaction Parameters

In determining reaction rates, catalytic RNA molecules follow the same rules as protein enzymes. These RNA enzymes or ribozymes use similar processes to promote their function as do their protein counterparts, such as binding their substrates in order to make bimolecular reactions unimolecular, transition state stabilization, and ground state destabilization (1 –5 ). Because ribozymes also coordinate binding, conformational, and catalytic events, the interpretation of a measured reaction rate can be involved.