View source for RNase

== What is RNase  ==

RNase is an [[Enzyme|enzyme]] that [[Catalyse|catalyses]] the [[Hydrolysis|hydrolysis]] of RNA. 

== Why do we need RNase?  ==

RNase is an essential enzyme. This is because although the breakdown of RNA occurs naturally through acid-base hydrolysis, the reaction needs to be catalysed to allow life to exist. 

== How does RNase allow hydrolysis to happen?  ==

Hydrolysis can take place due to two key [[Amino acid|amino acids]] in RNase. [[Histidine|Histidine]] 12 and Histidine 119, when the enzyme is folded are next to one another, allowing the vibration of electrons to and from one another. This allows a chain of 4 amino acids to become [[Hydrophilic|hydrophilic]] and allow water to travel into the active site of the enzyme and hydrolise RNA<ref>All information was retrieved from 2017/2018 Biochemistry lecture 14 - Dr Owen Davies - Newcastle University</ref>. 

== References  ==

<references /><br>