FIGURE 4.

Encapsulated hairpin ribozyme molecules are protected against ribonuclease digestion. Each panel shows an image of a surface on which fluorescent hairpin ribozyme molecules are attached, either directly or encapsulated. (a) Ribozyme molecules directly immobilized on the surface before treatment with ribonuclease (RNaseA). (b) Ribozyme molecules directly immobilized on the surface after treatment with ribonuclease. The absence of fluorescence indicates that the ribozymes have been digested by the enzyme, allowing free diffusion of the fluorophores away from the surface. (c) Encapsulated ribozymes following treatment with ribonuclease. Unlike b, the encapsulated molecules are clearly not accessible to the enzyme, and thus the surface-bound fluorescence is preserved.