Hammerhead Ribozymes: Structural Insights, Catalytic Mechanisms, and Cutting-Edge Applications in Synthetic Biology

Abstract

Hammerhead ribozymes are a class of small RNA molecules with catalytic activity. Their compact size, high catalytic efficiency, structural simplicity, and modular design flexibility make them ideal tools for RNA manipulation and gene regulation. In recent years, these ribozymes have demonstrated tremendous application potential across diverse fields, including gene regulation, disease therapy, and biosensing, significantly advancing related research. This article provides a comprehensive review of recent progress in hammerhead ribozyme research within synthetic biology, thoroughly examines the current challenges, and outlines future development directions, aiming to offer valuable perspectives and insights for their biomedical applications.