Figure 1.

Secondary structure of the antigenomic self-cleaving HDV RNA. The numbering system used is from Shih and Been (34). The empty letters indicate the 25 position randomized in the previous study (12). The Wobble bp is represented by a single large dot (G•U), while the homopurine bp at the top of the P4 stem is represented by two large dots (G••G). The triangle in the L4 loop indicates the P4 deletion (as compared to the natural variants). The arrow indicates the cleavage site. The trans-acting ribozyme was created by deleting the CA forming the J1/2 junction.