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Introduction
RNA or Ribonucleic Acid molecules are single-stranded nucleic acids made up of nucleotides. Ribonucleic Acid plays a crucial role in the synthesis of protein as it transcripts, decodes, and translates the genetic code to synthesize proteins. Like DNA(Deoxyribonucleic Acid), Ribonucleic acid is made up of three major components such as five carbon sugars, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. mRNA is a type of Ribonucleic Acid that carries genetic information from the DNA.
RNA and its types
The RNA(Ribonucleic Acid) is a biopolymer used for coding, decoding, regulating and expressing genes. The RNA is used as an intermediate component to transcribe the DNA code so that protein synthesis occurs.
The different types of RNA are- mRNA, rRNA and rRNA. The mRNA is used to carry information from the DNA to the ribosome so that protein synthesis can take place. The tRNA transfers the newly constructed amino acid at the end of a polypeptide chain and helps it to grow. The rRNA forms a ribosome by combining with the protein.
What are mRNAs?
The full form of mRNA is messenger Ribonucleic Acid. The mRNAs are single-stranded molecules present in the cells that carry genetic information from the DNA(Deoxyribonucleic Acid) present in the nucleus to the cell cytoplasm and help in the synthesis of protein in the ribosome. Every cellular function in an organism is performed by one or more proteins, mRNAs are also crucial as the DNAs. The mRNA sequence is interpreted with the help of NGS(Next Generation Sequencing).
Structure of mRNA
In Prokaryotes- The mRNA is the copy of the DNA and consists of a 5-triphosphate group and a 3-hydroxyl residue.
In Eukaryotes- The m RNA molecules are slightly complex. The 5-triphosphate residue forms a cap-like structure, and the 3-hydroxyl residue forms a tail-like (poly) structure that has multiple adenosine monophosphate molecules. As the prokaryotic mRNAs do not have the cap and tail structures, they are not as stable as the mRNAs in the eukaryotic cells.
Functions of mRNA
The genetic information flows from the DNA to the RNA and then to the protein. The information present in the DNA cannot be decoded to synthesize proteins, mRNA
The mRNA or Messenger Ribonucleic Acids have derived the name because they carry messages or instructions for protein synthesis from one portion of the cell to the other.
The mRNA delivers messages in the following ways.
- Transcription: during this process, an RNA(Ribonucleic Acid) copy of a DNA(Deoxyribonucleic Acid) sequence for a protein is formed
- The copy of mRNA moves out from the cell nucleus to the ribosome located in the cell cytoplasm.
- The ribosome translates the mRNA instructions, and protein synthesis takes place.
The mRNA and diseases
DNA mutation can cause abnormal gene expression, leading to insufficient or excess production of protein or dysfunctional proteins. It can cause genetic disorders. The mRNA sequences are now getting synthesized artificially to fight different diseases.
Traditional versus mRNA vaccines
Vaccines are used to activate immune cells and produce antibodies so that the body can recognize and fight the disease-causing germs.
When conventional vaccines are administered to the body, the non-infectious, weakened, and dead parts of the bacterium or virus are injected into the body. Unlike the traditional vaccines, the mRNA vaccines instructions so that the body can make its own bacterial or virus protein, and the immune system gets triggered to respond to these bacterial or viral proteins.
Benefits of mRNA vaccines
The role of mRNA is widely discussed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Extensive research across the world has opened up new avenues in fighting COVID-19 successfully by administering mRNA vaccines which are highly effective as compared to the traditional vaccines.
The benefits of mRNA vaccines are:
- mRNA vaccines have zero risks as no living component is injected into the body like in traditional vaccines
- The mRNA vaccines do not grow in living cells, unlike the traditional vaccines. So, the process of manufacturing is speedier.
- The mRNA vaccines are more effective against the diseases that are caused due to mutated agents.
Conclusion
The mRNA is a type of nucleic acid that plays an important role in the reading of the human genome coded in the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) so that amino acids can be assembled to form proteins. The mRNA works as the link between the code of life and the actual cell where the construction of a living organism takes place. Though DNA and its role is widely discussed,mRNA also plays a crucial role in the formation of organisms. Recently, mRNAs are also widely talked about because of their roles in disease prevention.
