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mRNA is transcribed from DNA and, in eukaryotes, processed into mature mRNA (splicing, 5' capping, 3' polyadenylation) before translation.
mRNA (messenger RNA) plays a central role in protein synthesis by carrying genetic information from a gene to the ribosome. It is produced during transcription, where RNA polymerase copies DNA into a primary transcript (pre-mRNA). In eukaryotes, pre-mRNA is processed—most notably by splicing (removing introns and joining exons), 5' cap addition, and 3' polyadenylation—to form mature mRNA, which is then exported to the cytoplasm for translation. During translation, the ribosome reads mRNA codons (triplets of nucleotides) and assembles a protein using amino acids supplied by transfer RNA (tRNA). Codons specify amino acids, while stop codons terminate synthesis. mRNA structure also influences translation: the 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) regulate mRNA stability, localization, and translational efficiency, and the poly(A) tail helps protect mRNA from degradation and supports translation. In prokaryotes, transcription and translation can be coupled because there is no nucleus, allowing ribosomes to begin translation while mRNA is still being made.
mRNA is transcribed from DNA and, in eukaryotes, processed into mature mRNA (splicing, 5' capping, 3' polyadenylation) before translation.
The ribosome translates mRNA codons into a protein using amino acids delivered by tRNA; stop codons end translation.
mRNA features such as UTRs and the poly(A) tail regulate translation efficiency and mRNA stability, and prokaryotes often couple transcription with translation.
A single-stranded RNA molecule whose nucleotide sequence is read by ribosomes to synthesize proteins.
The initial RNA transcript produced by transcription that still contains introns and must be processed to become mature mRNA.
The process that removes non-coding introns from pre-mRNA and joins exons to produce mature mRNA.
A modified guanine nucleotide added to the 5' end of eukaryotic mRNA that supports ribosome recognition and protects against RNases.
Addition of a poly(A) tail to the 3' end of eukaryotic mRNA that promotes export and translation and protects mRNA from degradation.
The ribosome-driven process of converting mRNA codons into a polypeptide using amino acids supplied by tRNA.
A three-nucleotide sequence in mRNA that specifies an amino acid or a stop signal during translation.
mRNA segments (5' UTR and 3' UTR) that are not translated but regulate mRNA stability, localization, and translational efficiency.
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