The peptidyl transferase center (EC 2.3.2.12) is an aminoacyltransferase ribozyme (RNA enzyme) located in the large subunit of the ribosome.
It forms peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids during the translation process of protein biosynthesis.
[1] It is also responsible for peptidyl-tRNA hydrolysis, allowing the release of the synthesized peptide chain at the end of translation.
The peptidyl transferase center is a significant piece of evidence supporting the RNA World hypothesis.
The peptidyl transferase center on the 50S subunit lies at the lower tips (acceptor ends) of the A- and P- site tRNAs.