Fascination with RNA Editing: In the Lights of Evolution and Biology.

Abstract

Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing is a widespread RNA modification that recodes genetic information and expands proteomic diversity. Exploring its evolutionary and adaptive roles requires multi-dimensional analysis, from sequence conservation to functional impact. In this article, we highlight RNA editing as a fascinating bridge between molecular biology and evolutionary theory-two domains used to be treated separately. Remarkably, RNA editing embodies both diversity (as a consequence of mutation, drift, and selection) and conservation (common ancestor), the two foundational principles of Darwin's theory and modern evolutionary research. While some evolutionary studies emphasize what has changed over time, RNA editing additionally draws attention to conserved signatures that persist across lineages, offering a more integrative perspective on how species evolve while remaining connected through shared molecular ancestry.