Messenger RNA (mRNA)
The structure of messenger RNA (mRNA) especially the eukaryotic mRNA has some unique. The 5’terminus of mRNA is “capped” with a methylated base of Guanosine 5’ triphosphate. The methylation is on the 2’-hydroxyl group of the ribose sugar. The methylated capping is followed by a non translated or “leader” sequence. The leader sequence is followed by an initiation codon, most often AUG. Coding region of mRNA are terminated by stop codon, usually UAA, UAG, UGA. The stop codon are followed by a second non translated sequence at the 3’ end. A series of adenylic acids called poly A tail which makes up 3’ terminus of the mRNA molecule.
