Science Algorithm for Learning Languages

[--Pete]

Hi,

Protein sequences have rules of grammar?
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Yes. For a start consider 'generative grammar' which is "a description in the form of an ordered set of rules for producing the grammatical sentences of a language" according to M-W. In the case you bring up, the amino acids are the 'words'. A sequence of amino acids is controlled by the rules of electrodynamics (the 'grammar' of chemistry). All sequences of amino acids formed by those rules are 'grammatically' correct. Just as in natural language, not all the proteins so derived are syntactically correct (e.g., "The horse designed the sky." is a grammatically correct sentence, having its nominative, its predicative, and its direct object. However, in the hands of anyone not so skilled as Lewis Carrol, it is not a well formed sentence syntactically). As custom is the arbiter of syntax in natural language, so is mRNA the arbiter of valid structures in proteins -- or was till the lab rats went to work. ;)

So, in the final analysis, all we are is the rules of electrostatics applied to a handful of elements.

"Of course you are, my bright little star . . ."

"I'm more than that. At least, I think I must be."

(Name that tune :) )

--Pete