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Definition

noun

A type of RNA that carries the code or chemical blueprint for a specific protein. In the early stages of protein synthesis, the mRNA is synthesized from a DNA template during transcription.

Supplement

The messenger RNA (mRNA) is one of the three types of RNA; the other two are transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).

In eukaryotes, the mRNA carries the genetic information from the nucleus to the site of protein synthesis (ribosome) in the cytoplasm to be translated. In non-eukaryotes such as bacteria, the mRNA is produced and translated in the cytoplasm of the bacterial cell.

Variant: mRNA

Synonyms:

• informational RNA
• template RNA