Characterization of the Selection of Multiple Start Codons Based on Variations in Riboome Binding Site Translation Initiation Strength
Open Access
Author:
Jepsen-burger, Hannah Ruby
Area of Honors:
Food Science
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Thomas Lehman Richard, Thesis Supervisor Edward G Dudley, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
multiple start codons translation initiation alternative start codon selection
Abstract:
Translation initiation is the process by which a ribosome selects an initiation point from within an mRNA strand and initiates the process of converting genetic code into protein for the cell. Although alternative methods of eukaryotic translation initiation have been extensively cataloged, analogous alternative prokaryotic translation initiation mechanisms still remain largely unstudied. This research addresses the effects of multiple start codons within seven nucleotides of each other on protein expression using common cloning techniques. Plasmid DNA sequences were manipulated to observe these effects. By varying the ribosome binding site translation initiation rate of each start codon and measuring the fluorescent output of two reporters, the research determined that these two start codons may individually be selected by the ribosome for translation, resulting in multiple discrete protein species.
