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. 1987 Aug 20;196(4):947-50.
doi: 10.1016/0022-2836(87)90418-9.

At least six nucleotides preceding the AUG initiator codon enhance translation in mammalian cells

M Kozak  1
Affiliations

At least six nucleotides preceding the AUG initiator codon enhance translation in mammalian cells

M Kozak. J Mol Biol. .

Abstract

Sequences flanking the AUG initiator codon influence its recognition by eukaryotic ribosomes. From a comparison of several hundred mRNA sequences, CCA/GCCAUGG emerged as the consensus sequence for initiation in higher eukaryotes. Systematic mutagenesis of a cloned preproinsulin gene confirmed the facilitating effect of A or G in position -3 (i.e. 3 nucleotides upstream from the AUG codon), C in positions -1 and -2, and G immediately following the AUG codon. The analysis of a new set of mutants now reveals that sequences slightly farther upstream are also influential, the optimal context for initiation being (GCC)GCCA/GCCAUGG. Possible mechanistic implications of the repeating GCC motif are discussed.

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