Catalytic strands of minimal hammerhead ribozymes and methods of using the same

Abstract

Provided are minimal hammerhead ribozymes and catalytic strands thereof. Aspects of the present disclosure include a catalytic strand of a minimal hammerhead ribozyme, the catalytic strand including a catalytic core region, a stem I-forming region, a stem II region, and a stem III-forming region. The catalytic strand hybridizes to a target strand via the stem I-forming region and the stem III-forming region. A nucleotide (e.g., an adenine, cytosine, or a natural or non-natural nucleotide base having hydrogen bond donor and acceptor functionalities at positions analogous to those of adenine or cytosine) present in a stem II loop base pairs with a nucleotide (e.g., uracil or cytosine) at position 1.7 of the target strand. Also provided are compositions that include the catalytic strands, and methods of using the catalytic strands, e.g., in a variety of different applications, as well as kits that find use in practicing embodiments of the methods.