Entry courtesy of
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Template for protein synthesis. Each set of three bases, called codons, specifies a certain protein in the sequence of amino acids that comprise the protein. The sequence of a strand of mRNA is based on the sequence of a complementary strand of DNA.

Audio (launches external player)

Dr. Paul Meltzer, of the National Human Genome Research Institute's Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, defines messenger RNA (mRNA).