What is the Difference Between hnRNA and mRNA?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between hnRNA and mRNA is that hnRNA is an immature, unprocessed form of RNA, while mRNA is the mature, processed form that is ready to be translated into proteins by the ribosomes. Here are some key differences between hnRNA and mRNA:
- Formation: hnRNA, or heterogeneous nuclear RNA, is derived directly from the DNA template by RNA polymerase, while mRNA is derived from hnRNA.
- Processing: hnRNA undergoes splicing and capping, but mRNA is not subject to splicing or capping.
- Introns: hnRNA contains introns, which are non-coding sequences that are removed during processing, while mRNA does not contain introns.
- Structure: Both hnRNA and mRNA are single-stranded RNA.
- Function: hnRNA is synthesized from a DNA template and serves as the precursor for mRNA, while mRNA is responsible for encoding the information needed for protein synthesis.
In summary, hnRNA is the newly formed RNA before processing, while mRNA is the RNA after processing, ready to be translated into proteins. hnRNA contains introns, whereas mRNA does not, and mRNA is responsible for encoding the information needed for protein synthesis.
Comparative Table: hnRNA vs mRNA
Here is a table comparing the differences between hnRNA and mRNA:
| Feature | hnRNA (Heterogeneous Nuclear RNA) | mRNA (Messenger RNA) |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Unprocessed premature RNA transcript | Processed RNA transcript |
| Formation | Directly derived from the DNA template by RNA polymerase | Derived from hnRNA |
| Introns | Contains introns | Does not contain introns |
| Splicing | Undergoes splicing | Not subject to splicing |
| Capping | Undergoes capping | Not subject to capping |
| Function | Serves as the precursor for mRNA | Synthesizes proteins |
| Location | Found in the nucleus | Found in the cytoplasm |
| Processing | Requires post-transcriptional processing | Does not require further processing |
hnRNA, also known as pre-mRNA, is a type of primary transcript produced inside the nucleus. Once pre-mRNA is made, it is post-transcriptionally processed into functional mRNA, which can be translated into a protein in the cytoplasm.