On the Mechanism of Protein Synthesis

Our knowledge about the mechanism of protein synthesis, one of the most important biochemical problems, is still extremely limited. It is evident from the very nature of proteins, their complexity and specificity, that the problem of protein synthesis presents numerous aspects. Theories of a template method of protein synthesis in the sense of Langmuir-Schaefer or Pauling are designed to explain the specificity of proteins. This paper will deal with only one aspect of protein synthesis, the mode of formation of the amide (peptide) linkage, which is the most typical linkage of every protein. In view of the close connection between protein synthesis and growth, any advance in understanding the former can he expected to shed some light not only on normal growth hut also on abnormal growth as typified by cancer formation. It is therefore essential that ideas on the problem of protein synthesis be communicated whereby impetus will be given for research efforts along new avenues of attack. On the more different fronts this problem will be tackled, the greater is the chance of ultimately solving it