ribozyme

A ribozyme is an RNA molecule with a well defined tertiary structure that enables it to perform a chemical reaction. Many ribozymes are catalytic, but some such as self-cleaving ribozymes are consumed by their reactions. Ribozyme means ribonucleic acid enzyme. It may also be called an RNA enzyme or catalytic RNA.

Many natural ribozymes cleave one of their own phosphodiester bonds, or bonds in other RNAs. Some have been found to catalyze the aminotransferase activity of the ribosome. Examples of ribozymes include the hammerhead ribozyme, the VS ribozyme and the hairpin ribozyme.