I know that there are two most important directions of genetic information transfer in living organisms: DNA->DNA and DNA->RNA. The first is replication, and the second is transcription. I wonder if there is a reason for this choice of directions. According to this article, all other directions are possible. Why do we use DNA for example? RNA is capable of self-replication since it happens in viruses. And why do we use RNA, not DNA, as messenger molecules? Is it just an accident or is it possible to explain why this is the right way of doing it?
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5$\begingroup$ One reason is surely that DNA is chemically more stable than RNA. $\endgroup$– nicoCommented Aug 19, 2012 at 18:03
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1$\begingroup$ @nico Thank you, I didn't know that. That seems to explain why RNA is not used to store genetic information. Could you explain why RNA is used instead of DNA for communication? Is RNA easier to build? $\endgroup$– ymarCommented Aug 19, 2012 at 18:31
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$\begingroup$ On top of my head I cannot think of a reason. I will try to write an answer if I can find something about it. $\endgroup$– nicoCommented Aug 19, 2012 at 18:35
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$\begingroup$ RNA folds better than DNA. $\endgroup$– bobthejoeCommented Aug 20, 2012 at 6:11
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$\begingroup$ For a reference of the RNA folding stability see biology.stackexchange.com/a/769/389 $\endgroup$– bobthejoeCommented Aug 21, 2012 at 21:31
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2 Answers
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DNA is more chemically stable than RNA, which makes it ideal for long-term storage. RNA viruses like HIV have a short lifespan and must replicate to survive, which is why they can get by with a less chemically stable genome.
RNA is a useful format to transcribe since it has multiple forms and functions (e.g. rRNA, mRNA, tRNA, siRNA, snRNA, miRNA, etc.). RNA can sometimes function like a protein in which it carries out cellular actions without needing to be translated. It has been hypothesized that RNA were the first molecules as precursors to life since they can function for both storage and action. The theory is that RNA was the first molecule but was then able to be translated into proteins (which were more variable/useful) and able to be stored as DNA (which was more stable as a storage medium).
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4$\begingroup$ The first sentence of your second paragraph is essentially proof by intimidation: you’re not giving any reason here. Just because RNA can take on multiple forms doesn’t by itself say anything about the suitability of mRNA as an intermediary between DNA and proteins, especially since all the examples you’ve cited are noncoding. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 20, 2012 at 15:48
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1$\begingroup$ True, I didn't mention any reason that it's a particularly good intermediary to be translated. I'm taking a different angle in answering the question by suggesting that maybe it has more to do with the sequence of origins instead of its usefulness as an intermediary. $\endgroup$– ConnerCommented Aug 20, 2012 at 15:54
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$\begingroup$ Yes, in fact I’m convinced that sequence of origin is the real reason. The similarity with non-coding RNA is notable only insofar as much of the machinery for treating RNA (any RNA) is ancient and very well conserved, and thus the cell requires less innovation by relying on mRNA than it would by having some kind of mDNA. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 20, 2012 at 16:06
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$\begingroup$ @KonradRudolph, or RNA structure is simply more stable. see biology.stackexchange.com/a/769/389 $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 21, 2012 at 21:31
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$\begingroup$ @bobthejoe While that’s interesting in general (good answer!), here we are talking specifically about mRNA where structure plays no or only a very minor role. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 22, 2012 at 8:30
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If you had a complex life form which used only DNA or RNA, it would have no way to tell transcribed mXNA from genomic gXNA. This would cause problems during cellar replication, as you could also replicate your mXNA along with your gXNA. It would also cause problems repairing breaks in your gXNA, as you would run the risk of including mXNA during the repair process.
Therefore it seems advantageous to have a storage system for information which is not currently being translated into protein (i.e., DNA), as compared to just having RNA.
On the other hand a completely DNA organism would need RNA for functional ribosomes anyway. If RNA is being used for ribosomes, using it for mRNA as well to avoid confusion with genomic DNA seems advantageous.
In order to test this hypothesis, you would need to create a completely RNA/DNA based lifeform and investigate its properties. Short of starting life from scratch as RNA based and monitoring its evolution over a few million years, a conclusive proof as to why things are the way they are as opposed to being down to an evolutionary historical accident is difficult to obtain!
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$\begingroup$ There are simpler ways to distinguish mXNA from gXNA. For example, single vs. double stranded, chaperone proteins or the simple absence of an origin of replication in the mXNA messenger. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 25, 2016 at 9:14
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$\begingroup$ quora.com/Why-do-cells-use-both-DNA-and-RNA also mentions that RNA is cheaper to replicate as it is less stable. While I don't know anything about this, I would guess that that is true. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 11, 2018 at 21:31