Patent ID: 7655787

Claim:
A pRNA chimera comprising: (a) a pRNA region; and (b) a spacer region comprising a biologically active RNA, the spacer region covalently linked at its 5′ and 3′ ends to the pRNA region, wherein the biologically active RNA specifically binds a pre-identified substrate; wherein the pRNA region comprises: (i) in the 5′ to 3′ direction beginning at the covalent linkage of the pRNA with the 3′ end of the spacer region a first loop; a second loop; and a lower stem-loop structure comprising a bulge, a first stem section and a third loop; (ii) a second stem section interposed between the spacer region and the stem-loop structure; (iii) a third stem section interposed between the stem-loop structure and the first loop; (iv) a fourth stem section interposed between the first loop and the second loop; and further comprises (v) an opening defining 5′ and 3′ ends of the pRNA chimera.