Cell ablation using trans-splicing ribozymes

摘要

The design of new ribozymes capable of self-catalyzed trans-splicing which are based upon the catalytic core of a Group I intron are described. Using this design, it is possible to construct ribozymes capable of efficiently splicing a new 3' exon sequence into any chosen target RNA sequence in a highly precise manner. A method of cell ablation is also described that provides a toxic product to a host cell in vivo in a targetted, regulated manner utilizing novel trans-splicing ribozymes of the invention. Inactive pro-ribozyme forms are also described.