mRNA (messenger RNA) is a molecule of single-stranded RNA that encodes a protein. mRNA is produced in the nucleus of a cell as part of gene expression. The coding strand of mRNA is used as template to produce a polypeptide chain, which is then translated into a protein by ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
mRNA plays an important role in the genetic code, as it allows for the transfer of genetic information from DNA to proteins. In addition, mRNA can be used to regulate gene expression, as it can be transcribed and translated into proteins that control other genes.
mRNA is made up of four types of nucleotides: adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). These nucleotides are joined together by phosphate groups to form phosphodiester bonds. The sequence of nucleotides in mRNA determines the sequence of amino acids in a protein.