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tRNA Synthetase Gene Sharing: Like the Movie Transformers

Cornelius Hunter
December 1, 2012
Intelligent Design
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You’ve seen those amazing multi-purpose kitchen utensils and jackknifes that perform a dozen tasks, but it is all standard fare in biology. From the DNA molecule which stores all kinds of information (you can see examples here, here, hereand here) including overlapping genes, to molecules that fulfill various roles depending on the cellular context and gene sharing, biology is the model of efficiency. Call it multi-purpose design, component reuse, optimization of information density, or whatever, it is one of biology’s biggest unsung feats and last week yet another example was published.  Read more

Comments
Darwin's God is a must read. I hope Dr. Hunter is working on another book!Mung
December 2, 2012
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Good post, Dr. Hunter. I particularly liked this paragraph toward the end:
But instead of explanations all I get is pushback. It’s all my fault for attacking science, we all know evolution is true, and besides god would never make viruses anyway.
----- BA77, I'm trying to remember if I've read Darwin's God . . . I do have Darwin's Proof next to me on my shelf (which I read quite some time ago) and highly recommend it.Eric Anderson
December 2, 2012
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,,,so that more people could understand the exact position that you are coming from more easily:,,,bornagain77
December 1, 2012
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Dr Hunter, I don't know if you have seen this video, but this man does a excellent exposition on the theodicy of Darwin's book 'Origin of Species' and he mentions your book 'Darwin's God' very favorably several times in the video. I know you are not one to toot your own horn, but I wish you would repost this video so that more people could understand the exact position that you are coming more easily: The Descent of Darwin – Pastor Joe Boot (The Theodicy Of 'Origin Of Species') – video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKJqk7xF4-gbornagain77
December 1, 2012
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Nice post Dr. Hunter,,, Related note:
Moonlighting Proteins: Proteins with Multiple Functions - Online Publication date 2009 Introduction Moonlighting proteins, also referred to as ‘gene sharing’, refer to a subset of multifunctional proteins in which two or more different functions are performed by one polypeptide chain, and the multiple functions are not a result of splice variants, gene fusions, or multiple isoforms [1]. In addition, they do not include proteins with the same function in multiple locations or protein families in which different members have different functions, if each individual member has only one function. A single protein with multiple functions may seem surprising, but there are actually many cases of proteins that ‘moonlight’. Examples and mechanisms of combining two functions in one protein: The current examples of moonlighting proteins include enzymes, DNA binding proteins, receptors, transmembrane channels, chaperones and ribosomal proteins (Table 4.1). In general, there are several different methods by which a moonlighting protein can combine two functions within one polypeptide chain. A single protein can have a second function when it moves to a different cellular location; when it is expressed in a different cell type; when it binds a substrate, product, or cofactor; when it interacts with another protein to form a multimer, or when it interacts with a large multiprotein complex. In addition, a few enzymes have two active sites for different substrates (Figure 4.1). The methods are not mutually exclusive and sometimes a combination of methods is employed. http://ebooks.cambridge.org/chapter.jsf?bid=CBO9780511546310&cid=CBO9780511546310A013
Semi related note:
Problems with the Metaphor of a Cell as "Machine" - July 2012 Excerpt: Too often, we envision the cell as a "factory" containing a fixed complement of "machinery" operating according to "instructions" (or "software" or "blueprints") contained in the genome and spitting out the "gene products" (proteins) that sustain life. Many things are wrong with this picture, but one of the problems that needs to be discussed more openly is the fact that in this "factory," many if not most of the "machines" are themselves constantly turning over -- being assembled when and where they are needed, and disassembled afterwards. The mitotic spindle...is one of the best-known examples, but there are many others. Funny sort of "factory" that, with the "machinery" itself popping in and out of existence as needed!,,, http://www.evolutionnews.org/2012/07/problems_with_t062691.html
bornagain77
December 1, 2012
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