title: Is there a higher level genetic code that directs evolution?
abstract: Because the genetic code is redundant for most amino acids, different codons can be used in a given position without altering the structure of the protein for which the gene codes. This flexibility permits information encoding structural, and therefore functional, properties of RNA and DNA to be transmitted simultaneously by a protein-coding sequence of DNA. Among the other messages that might be transmitted, it is proposed, is one modulating the evolution of the DNA itself.
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003062:Codon; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D005796:Genes; D005815:Genetic Code; D008745:Methylation; D009154:Mutation; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D003062:Codon; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA