Design and in vitro activity of ribozymes against mRNA of a rat membrane inhibitor of complement

Mammalian cells are usually protected from the complement-mediated injury by a number of complement regulatory proteins. A rat protein designated as 512 antigen is thought to be such a complement regulatory protein. A cDNA of 512 antigen has been cloned and analyzed. To investigate the function of 512 antigen, we plan to construct a ribozyme system against 512 antigen expression. We have designed two hammerhead ribozymes targeted to the 512 antigen mRNA and tested the ribozyme activities in vitro. Both hammerhead ribozymes efficiently cleaved the 512 antigen mRNA in vitro. We have also designed a hairpin ribozyme against this mRNA. The activity of the hairpin ribozyme will also be discussed.