Anna Pyle’s lab is Attacking RNA with Small-Molecule Drugs.

The RNA synthesizer used to prepare short, fluorescently labeled RNA substrates for the study. (Photo credit: Olga Fedorova)
October 24, 2018

Yale researchers have developed a way to target RNA with small-molecule drugs, creating a new method for tapping into a vast number of biological mechanisms critical to metabolism and gene expression.

Pyle’s team identified small molecules that would inhibit a particular group of large, self-splicing ribozymes found in bacteria, plants, and fungi — but not found in mammals. These RNA molecules have an elaborate structure that contains tiny, solvent-accessible pockets for a small molecule drug to bind with the larger molecule.

Click this link for the full story at Yale News.