LAUSR

The modular architecture of naturally occurring ribozymes makes them a promising class of structural platform for the design and assembly of three‐dimensional (3D) RNA nanostructures, into which the catalytic ability of the platform ribozyme can be installed. We have constructed and analyzed RNA nanostructures with polygonal‐shaped (closed) ribozyme oligomers by assembling unit RNAs derived from the Tetrahymena group I intron with a typical modular architecture. In this study, we dimerized ribozyme trimers with a triangular shape by introducing three pillar units. The resulting double‐decker nanostructures containing six ribozyme units were characterized biochemically and their structures were observed by atomic force microscopy. The double‐decker hexamers exhibited higher catalytic activity than the parent ribozyme trimers.