Transcript

Definition

An RNA molecule synthesized from a DNA template by the process of transcription. In molecular biology, a transcript represents the readout of a gene or genomic region, which may be further processed (e.g., spliced, capped, polyadenylated) before translation into protein or may function directly as a functional RNA. The term encompasses messenger RNA (mRNA), non-coding RNAs, and their precursors.

Etymology

From Latin transcriptum, past participle of transcribere, meaning 'to write across or copy', referring to the copying of genetic information from DNA to RNA.

Example

In honey bees (Apis mellifera), transcript abundance of the vitellogenin gene varies seasonally and caste-specifically, with higher transcript levels in long-lived winter bees compared to summer foragers, reflecting differential investment in nutrient storage versus foraging metabolism.

Synonyms

• RNA transcript
• primary transcript
• gene transcript

Related Terms

• Transcription
• messenger RNA
• Gene expression
• RNA sequencing
• translatome
• transcriptome

Usage Notes

Distinguish from 'transcriptome,' which denotes the complete set of transcripts in a cell or tissue at a given time. In arthropod research, transcript abundance is often quantified by quantitative PCR or RNA-seq to study physiological responses to temperature stress, pesticide exposure, or host-parasite interactions. The term is rarely used in morphological or field contexts; prefer 'RNA' or specific RNA classes (mRNA, rRNA, miRNA) when discussing structural or functional roles rather than the act of transcription itself.