The ribosome is a ribozyme? Yes and No

[Art (Arthur Hunt)]

Recollecting:

@Mercer asked @Eddie:

Has your hero Meyer ever addressed the fact, published 20 years ago, that the ribosome is a ribozyme? That this was predicted by the RNA World hypothesis? Why did he deny this empirical fact in his book, which has a chapter allegedly devoted to the RNA World hypothesis, if there’s any ID post hoc explanation of it?

@pnelson replied:

It’s not a ribozyme. The PTC is RNA, but the whole structure is RNA plus a LOT of proteins.

The further mention of the conversation of Church, Venter, and Shapiro doesn’t correct this erroneous assertion, and neither does the additional detail about the workings of ribosomes. And none of this answer’s @Mercer‘s question.

No matter - I think we are coming around to agreement on this. If someone can help Meyer update his book(s), that may be a good thing.

[Rumraket (Mikkel R.)]

@pnelson

An automobile engine is not simply a gas fire with a few bells and whistles.

You certainly know how get a lot of mileage out of those metaphors .

[Mercer (John Mercer)]

@pnelson

I said translation could not happen without proteins. Peptide bond formation, and translation, are not the same process.

I don’t see where you said that. You made vague statements about what works.

@pnelson

I would want to see “works,” if “works” can be demonstrated. That would be a major boost for the RNA World hypothesis.

I don’t see the word “translation” in that sentence. Do you? Isn’t peptidyl transferase the very center of translation?

What’s your design explanation for it being a ribozyme again? I must of missed that.

@pnelson

What was missing from the Noller et al. 1992 assay? mRNAs, tRNAs, the small subunit, etc., and the actual synthesis of a protein. The PTC comprises catalytic RNA. The PTC is not a ribosome. Only ribosomes are ribosomes.

What’s missing from your entire career as an “ID theorist”? A single testable hypothesis.

You’re too old to haul those goalposts around like that.

@Art

No matter - I think we are coming around to agreement on this. If someone can help Meyer update his book(s), that may be a good thing.

Updating the book for accuracy would be silly without any ID explanation for the fact that peptidyl transferase is a ribozyme.