DNA to mRNA Converter

Use our DNA to mRNA converter to gain a deeper understanding of how DNA is converted into mRNA, a crucial process in molecular biology and protein synthesis. This DNA to mRNA calculator allows you to perform transcription (DNA → mRNA) easily and translation (mRNA → protein) by simply entering a nucleotide sequence. You can also reverse the process and translate mRNA into DNA. In this article, you'll learn:

• What mRNA is;
• Answers to questions like "Is DNA to mRNA transcription or translation?";
• How to transcribe DNA to mRNA;
• The mRNA to protein translation;
• What the central dogma is; and
• How to use our DNA to mRNA converter.

Ready? Let's dive in!

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contains the genetic code that holds all of an individual's hereditary information. This double-helix-shaped molecule is the basic unit of genes.

The DNA of every human being is composed of structural units called nucleotides. Each type of nucleotide consists of three units:

• A nitrogenous base;
• A sugar (deoxyribose); and
• A phosphate group.

Four types of nucleotides make up DNA:

• Adenine (A);
• Guanine (G);
• Thymine (T); and
• Cytosine (C).

The two strands of DNA are linked together by nucleotides that form complementary pairs: adenine with thymine (A-T or T-A) and guanine with cytosine (G-C or C-G).

Interested in knowing more about DNA as a whole? Check out our article "What is the history of DNA?"

Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are molecules responsible for transmitting the information encoded in our genome, thereby enabling the synthesis of proteins necessary for our cells to function.

Our genome contains the blueprint for manufacturing each of the proteins our cells need to exist, function, and keep us alive! So, without going into detail, when a cell needs a protein, the manufacturing blueprint is "photocopied"; scientists say that its "gene" is "transcribed". The copy thus generated (a messenger RNA) is then exported from the nucleus and joins the ribosomes, where it enables the synthesis of the requested protein.

Like all RNAs, mRNA is a nucleic acid resulting from the polymerization of ribonucleotides linked by phosphodiester bonds. The nucleic bases, or nitrogenous bases, present on ribonucleotides are adenine (A), which is complementary to uracil (U), and guanine (G), which is complementary to cytosine (C). Messenger RNAs therefore use the base U, and, unlike DNA, which uses the base T (thymine), are single-stranded molecules, meaning that they consist of a single strand.

To learn more about mRNA, head over to our articled entitled "What is mRNA?"

To ensure the proper functioning of the human body, cells must carry out chemical reactions, defend themselves against attacks from foreign bodies, transport particles, etc. Proteins play an important role in all these functions. Given the wide variety of functions, the body must synthesize a wide variety of proteins.

Proteins are macromolecules formed from a chain of amino acids of varying lengths. There are 20 standard types of amino acids. These amino acids are small compounds that bind together to form a chain that can be short or very long. Once the protein is formed, interactions between the amino acids cause the chain to fold, giving each protein its characteristic shape.

Protein synthesis involves linking simple particles (amino acids) to form a complex chain called a protein. Protein synthesis is divided into two stages — transcription and translation — that we are going to explain below.

You can also check out our article "What are the steps of protein synthesis?"

Transcription is the first step in protein synthesis. It involves copying the genetic information contained in a segment of DNA by producing a messenger RNA molecule.

DNA contains the information necessary for the synthesis of all proteins in the body. DNA is a long and bulky molecule, which means that it cannot leave the cell nucleus to participate directly in protein synthesis. A smaller molecule must therefore be produced that is capable of leaving the nucleus and transporting the necessary genetic information: this is messenger ribonucleic acid, or mRNA.

DNA and RNA are molecules that have several things in common. For example, they are both made up of a combination of sugars, nitrogenous bases, and phosphate groups. These molecules also have differences, which are summarized in the following table.

The transcription of DNA into mRNA occurs in the following stages. Initially, we have DNA that consists of two strands comprising complementary nitrogenous bases (A-T pair and G-C pair). There are also free nitrogenous bases scattered throughout the nucleus.

During the first stage of transcription, an enzyme separates the two strands of DNA. Using the free nitrogenous bases in the nucleus, the enzyme then pairs each nitrogenous base in the DNA strand with a complementary nitrogenous base. This process forms a strand of mRNA.

In the second and final stage, the mRNA strand is completed. It dissociates from the DNA strand and may undergo a few final modifications if necessary. It can then travel outside the nucleus into the cell's cytoplasm.

As you can see, mRNA is a molecule complementary to DNA. During mRNA formation, the nitrogenous bases pair in the same way as they do between two strands of DNA. However, during mRNA synthesis, thymine (T) is replaced by uracil (U). The following table compares the pairing of nitrogenous bases in two strands of DNA and during the formation of mRNA.

To dive deeper into this subject, check out our article called "How to Transcribe DNA to mRNA".

Translation is the second stage of protein synthesis. It involves the reading of mRNA and the synthesis of protein by the cell's ribosomes. Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a type of RNA that binds to mRNA. It transports the amino acids that will form the protein. Ribosomes are organelles found within the cell on the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum. When mRNA leaves the nucleus to enter the cytoplasm, it approaches a ribosome.

At this first stage, several particles are already floating in the cytoplasm, including transfer RNA (tRNA) and amino acids.

In the second stage, mRNA binds to the ribosome. The ribosome then begins to read the mRNA in groups of three nitrogenous bases. Each triplet of nitrogenous bases is called a codon. When the ribosome reads an mRNA codon, a corresponding tRNA arrives. The tRNA acts as a shuttle. Its role is to transport a specific amino acid that will be part of the future protein.

As the previous stage repeats itself, the amino acids bind together and create a chain that grows longer.

In the fourth stage, when synthesis is complete, the amino acid chain is released into the cytoplasm. It folds up and becomes a protein with its final three-dimensional shape.

To understand the structure of proteins, it is often necessary to measure their yield or purity using biochemical tests. In this case, our protein concentration calculator can help you quantify your experimental results.

Our DNA to mRNA converter is straightforward — here's how to use it:

1. Choose the conversion direction:
   • DNA to mRNA; or
   • mRNA to DNA.
2. Enter your sequence into the field:
   • DNA uses A, C, G, T; and
   • mRNA uses A, C, G, U.
   Any other characters (numbers, punctuation, spaces) are ignored automatically.
3. Appreciate the results below:
   • Converted DNA sequence;
   • Converted mRNA sequence; and
   • Protein sequence (check out our table below to interpret the sequence).

Want to explore more genetics-related tools? Head over to our allele frequency calculator.

Here's how to convert DNA into mRNA without a DNA to mRNA converter:

1. Write out the DNA sequence, e.g., ACGTAC.
2. Match each base to its mRNA complement.

3. Convert the sequence: ACGTAC gives UGCAUG.

4. Finally, with the help of an RNA codon table, you can translate codons into amino acids: for instance, UGC AUG gives CYS-MET.

It's easier to use our DNA to mRNA converter, isn't it?

Use this table to read and interpret protein sequences produced by the DNA-to-RNA-to-protein converter.