Investigation of the catalytic mechanism of a synthetic DNAzyme with protein-with functionality: an RNaseA mimic?

A mechanistic investigation of [9.sub.25]-11 catalysis is reported wherein a variety of experiments like DNAzyme functional group deletion, mechanism-based affinity labeling and bridging and nonbridging phosphorothioate substitution of these scissile phosphate are used. The [9.sub.25]-11 has met the minimal criteria of a protein enzyme ribonuclease A (RNase A) mimic, showing how added synthetic has expanded the mechanistic repertoire available to a synthetic DNA-based catalyst.