The information in a gene must travel from the nucleus to the protein-synthesis machinery. Messenger RNA, or mRNA, is the intermediate molecule that carries the coding sequence. It is transcribed from DNA, processed, and then translated by ribosomes.

Eukaryotic mRNA receives a 5′ cap and a poly-A tail and undergoes splicing to remove introns. The mature mRNA contains a continuous open reading frame of codons. Its abundance and lifetime help control how much protein is produced.

Modern vaccines and therapies use synthetic mRNA to instruct cells to make specific proteins. Researchers measure mRNA levels to determine which genes are active. The molecule is transient yet central to the flow of genetic information.

• RNA that carries genetic code from DNA
• Translated into protein by ribosomes
• Processed by capping, splicing, and polyadenylation
• Key intermediate in gene expression