RNAワールドテクノロジー：強力プロテアーゼ阻害剤の創製を一例として

抄録

Here, I would like to propose the term “RNA world technology”. The RNA world is a hypothetical world that is believed to have been in a period of pre-biotic state. If this is true, the RNA should have various functions to lead the system in the creation of life. In the RNA world, RNAs expressed great versatility. However, not all these functions were brought into modern life. It may be impossible to find out such RNA potential from the modern organisms. “RNA world technology” is the technology that revives and utilizes the RNA functions those might have worked only in the RNA world. Therefore, RNA world technology is distinguished from usual biotechnology. In vitro selection or SELEX is an RNA world technology. Here I show our in vitro selection of subtilisin aptamer (inhibitor) as an example for RNA world technology. Versatility and plasticity of RNAs can be seen from this example. Expectation of “super SELEX” and definition of the term “RNA world” are also discussed.