Question

What modern-day examples of RNA function support the RNA world hypothesis?

Answer 1

The previous knownledge about nucleic acids and their functions was directed to declare that DNA remains the genetic material of all cells whereas RNA remains an intermediate form for transfer of this genetic information from the DNA to the protein synthesis machinery of the cells so that an effective protein might be synthesized. Some of these proteins were supposed to have enzymatic activity as well while the others performed various functions.

However, the advances made in the technology and information have now proven that RNA itself is capable of performing all these functions. For example, following leads have established that the various functions of RNA make it a suitable candidate to declare a complete RNA world in the biology:

1. RNA acts as a genetic material in many viruses whereas DNA does not
2. RNA itself is capable of performing some enzyme-like reactions by self-catalyzing them.
3. Double stranded and helical forms of RNA do exist in various biological systems
4. A single strand of RNA is capable of generating multiple sequences of polypeptides which can give rise to many proteins. Hence, RNA acts as a mediator of evolution and variation.
5. RNA sequences are generally preserved in cells for conservation in the evolution.

Thus, these are some of the parameters which demonstrate the vast potentials of RNAs as molecules of information and hence demand further research and investigations.