mRNA, or messenger RNA, plays a crucial role in the process of gene expression. Its primary functions include:
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Transcription of Genetic Information: mRNA is synthesized in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, using DNA as a template. The process of transcription converts the genetic code from DNA into a complementary RNA sequence.
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Serving as a Template for Translation: Once synthesized, mRNA is transported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis. Ribosomes read the mRNA sequence in sets of three nucleotides (codons), each of which corresponds to a specific amino acid.
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Amino Acid Sequencing: During translation, transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome, where they are added to the growing polypeptide chain according to the sequence of codons in the mRNA.
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Regulating Gene Expression: mRNA levels are carefully regulated within the cell, influencing how much of a particular protein is produced. This regulation can occur at various stages, including mRNA stability, translation efficiency, and post-translational modifications.
Overall, mRNA acts as the intermediary that conveys genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes where proteins are synthesized.