Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
📩 Genetic messenger 💉 Vaccine method
mRNA

mRNA

8 4.9
A molecule that carries DNA instructions to make a protein
  • noun
  • /ˌɛmˌɑːrˈɛnˈeɪ/
  • Specialized
: ARNm
  • The scientist explained how mRNA carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.
  • mRNA expression
  • mRNA levels
  • mRNA to protein

Those messages are called mRNA messenger RNA, OK.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • DR. CONNORS: We received the results from the mRNA sequences this morning.

    The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

  • Moderna's vaccine is also an mRNA vaccine or a messenger RNA vaccine.

  • How about the number of mRNA produced per cell cycle?

  • So as you can see here, this is something that looks like it comes out from the mRNA and then it would fold.

    The Royal Institution

  • There's different large sets of mRNA in each cell.

  • And that's because mRNA leads to protein, right?

  • Only the genes expressed in a given cell type will be represented by mRNA molecules.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Then, the mRNA is transported out to the cytosol to be translated into the corresponding protein.

    Academic text (2018)

  • Each cDNA molecule represents a copy of a single messenger RNA, or mRNA, derived from the gene sequence.

    Academic text (1992)

  • For coding regions, transcription results in a complementary mRNA molecule that, with no further modification, is translated at the ribosome.

    Academic text (1996)

Synonyms

messenger RNA
vsmRNA
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A molecule that carries gene instructions from the cell nucleus to ribosomes to make proteins

is the common abbreviated term for the same molecule
template RNA
vsmRNA
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A molecule that carries instructions from DNA to cell parts that make proteins

is the abbreviated label for this same molecule
informational RNA
vsmRNA
  • Specialized
4.7

A molecule that carries DNA instructions to the part of the cell that makes proteins

is the short form used instead of the longer descriptive name

Surface Forms

mRNA singular
mRNAs plural

Morphology

mRNA = RNA (transparent) = m + R + N + A

The initial letter 'm' conventionally abbreviates 'messenger' and combines with the established headword 'RNA' (ribonucleic acid) in a clear initialism, so learners who know RNA can interpret mRNA.

Etymology

MRNA stands for messenger RNA, where 'messenger' means 'one who carries a message' and RNA is the kind of molecule that carries genetic information. So mRNA is like a tiny message that takes instructions from DNA to the cell machines that build proteins.