Precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA)

Precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) is an initial form of messenger RNA (mRNA) produced inside a cell’s nucleus from a gene’s DNA blueprint. It contains both coding regions (exons) and non-coding regions (introns). Before it can direct protein synthesis, pre-mRNA undergoes processing to remove introns and assemble exons into a mature mRNA. This mature mRNA then exits the nucleus to guide the production of specific proteins. Essentially, pre-mRNA is a temporary, intermediate molecule that must be refined before it can fulfill its role in gene expression.