what is the shape of mRNA molecule, I cannot find this answer anywhere!?

Question

thanks a bunch if you can help me!

Answer 1

Generally it doesn't have a given shape (like e.g. DNA is a double helix)
From then on it depends on the sequence and the organism.
Some mRNAs form loops, especially in their untranslated regions which play a regulatory role and there is some limited intramolecular base-pairing.
In eukaryotes it is speculated that the large subunit of the ribosomes can bind (through other proteins) to the poly-A tail and thus the assembly of a functional ribosome 9in such a case) requires that the two ends of the mRNA molecule are close together (remember that the small subunit binds at the 5'). So you could see mRNA molecules having a somewhat circular/spiral shape during translation.

In prokaryotes there is no poly-A tail but also transcription and translation can occur simultaneously. Thus the transcript should be quite "linear" during these processes.

Answer 2

IT's in the shape of a helix, which is a winding shape, similar to a coiled spring. The DNA molecule has a double helix shape, which is two helixes twisted around each other. HOWEVER, mRNA is a single helix strand.

Answer 3

mRNA is linear...it has to be because it is the only way it can make its way from the nucleus to the cytoplasm for capping, splicing, and polyadenylation.