Kozak consensus sequence

The Kozak consensus sequence (Kozak consensus or Kozak sequence) is a nucleic acid motif that functions as the protein translation initiation site in most eukaryotic mRNA transcripts.[1] Regarded as the optimum sequence for initiating translation in eukaryotes, the sequence is an integral aspect of protein regulation and overall cellular health as well as having implications in human disease.[1][2] It ensures that a protein is correctly translated from the genetic message, mediating ribosome assembly and translation initiation. A wrong start site can result in non-functional proteins.[3] As it has become more studied, expansions of the nucleotide sequence, bases of importance, and notable exceptions have arisen.[1][4][5] The sequence was named after the scientist who discovered it, Marilyn Kozak. Kozak discovered the sequence through a detailed analysis of DNA genomic sequences.[6]

The Kozak sequence is not to be confused with the ribosomal binding site (RBS), that being either the 5′ cap of a messenger RNA or an internal ribosome entry site (IRES).

  1. ^ a b c Kozak, M. (February 1989). "The scanning model for translation: an update". The Journal of Cell Biology. 108 (2): 229–241. doi:10.1083/jcb.108.2.229. ISSN 0021-9525. PMC 2115416. PMID 2645293.
  2. ^ Kozak, Marilyn (2002-10-16). "Pushing the limits of the scanning mechanism for initiation of translation". Gene. 299 (1): 1–34. doi:10.1016/S0378-1119(02)01056-9. ISSN 0378-1119. PMC 7126118. PMID 12459250.
  3. ^ Kozak, Marilyn (1999-07-08). "Initiation of translation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes". Gene. 234 (2): 187–208. doi:10.1016/S0378-1119(99)00210-3. ISSN 0378-1119. PMID 10395892.
  4. ^ De Angioletti M, Lacerra G, Sabato V, Carestia C (2004). "Beta+45 G → C: a novel silent beta-thalassaemia mutation, the first in the Kozak sequence". Br J Haematol. 124 (2): 224–31. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2141.2003.04754.x. PMID 14687034. S2CID 86704907.
  5. ^ Hernández, Greco; Osnaya, Vincent G.; Pérez-Martínez, Xochitl (2019-07-25). "Conservation and Variability of the AUG Initiation Codon Context in Eukaryotes". Trends in Biochemical Sciences. 44 (12): 1009–1021. doi:10.1016/j.tibs.2019.07.001. ISSN 0968-0004. PMID 31353284.
  6. ^ Kozak, M (1984-01-25). "Compilation and analysis of sequences upstream from the translational start site in eukaryotic mRNAs". Nucleic Acids Research. 12 (2): 857–872. doi:10.1093/nar/12.2.857. ISSN 0305-1048. PMC 318541. PMID 6694911.