The parable of the caveman and the Ferrari: protein synthesis and the RNA world

The basic steps of protein synthesis are carried out by the ribosome, a very large and complex ribonucleoprotein particle. In keeping with its proposed emergence from an RNA world, all three of its core mechanisms-amino-acyl-tRNA selection, catalysis of peptide bond formation and coupled translocation of mRNA and tRNA-are embodied in the properties of ribosomal RNA, while its proteins play a supportive role. This article is part of the themed issue 'Perspectives on the ribosome'.