What is the Difference Between Shine Dalgarno and Kozak Sequence?

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The Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence and the Kozak sequence are consensus sequences that play crucial roles in the initiation of protein synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, respectively. Here are the key differences between the two:

  1. Function: The SD sequence is a ribosomal binding site found in bacterial and archaeal mRNA, while the Kozak sequence is a protein translation initiation site in eukaryotic mRNA.
  2. Location: The SD sequence is located 8 bases upstream of the start codon (AUG) in bacterial and archaeal mRNA, while the Kozak sequence is found within the protein translation initiation site in eukaryotic mRNA.
  3. Binding: The SD sequence binds to the smaller 30-S subunit of the 70S ribosomes, while the Kozak sequence binds to the smaller 40-S subunit of the 80S ribosomes.
  4. Sequence: The SD sequence in E. coli is 5'-AGGAGGU-3', while the Kozak sequence is 5'(gcc)gccRccAUGG-3'.
  5. Discovery: The SD sequence was discovered by Australian scientists John Shine and Lynn Dalgarno, while the Kozak sequence was discovered by American scientist Marilyn Kozak.

Comparative Table: Shine Dalgarno vs Kozak Sequence

The Shine-Dalgarno and Kozak sequences are consensus sequences that play crucial roles in the initiation of translation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, respectively. Here is a table comparing the differences between the two:

Feature Shine-Dalgarno Sequence Kozak Sequence
Function Ribosomal binding site Protein translation initiation site
Location Found in bacterial and archaeal mRNA Found only in eukaryotic mRNA
Binding Binds to the smaller 30-S subunit of 70S ribosomes Binds to the smaller 40-S subunit of 80S ribosomes
Sequence 5'AGGAGGU3' 5'(gcc)gccRccAUGG-3'
Discoverers John Shine and Lynn Dalgarno Marilyn Kozak

The Shine-Dalgarno sequence is located 8 bases upstream of the start codon AUG and helps in the initiation of translation in prokaryotes. On the other hand, the Kozak sequence is a protein translation initiation site found only in eukaryotic mRNA, surrounding the start codon AUG.