Conservation and Variability of the AUG Initiation Codon Context in Eukaryotes

作者：Greco Hernández, Vincent G. Osnaya, Xochitl Pérez-Martı́nez · 发表于：Trends in Biochemical Sciences · 年份：2019 · DOI：10.1016/j.tibs.2019.07.001 · 被引用次数：124 · 研究领域：RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms、RNA Research and Splicing、RNA modifications and cancer

Selection of the translation initiation site (TIS) is a crucial step during translation. In the 1980s Marylin Kozak performed key studies on vertebrate mRNAs to characterize the optimal TIS consensus sequence, the Kozak motif. Within this motif, conservation of nucleotides in crucial positions, namely a purine at -3 and a G at +4 (where the A of the AUG is numbered +1), is essential for TIS recognition. Ever since its characterization the Kozak motif has been regarded as the optimal sequence to initiate translation in all eukaryotes. We revisit here published in silico data on TIS consensus sequences, as well as experimental studies from diverse eukaryotic lineages, and propose that, while the -3A/G position is universally conserved, the remaining variability of the consensus sequences enables their classification as optimal, strong, and moderate TIS sequences.