Then a transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule carrying the amino acid methionine binds to what is called the start codon of the mRNA sequence. The start codon in all mRNA molecules has the sequence AUG and ...

Methionine is specified by the codon AUG, which is also known as the start codon. Consequently, methionine is the first amino acid to dock in the ribosome during the synthesis of proteins.

This degeneracy provides a layer of protection against mutations, as some mutations in the third nucleotide of a codon may not change the amino acid that is specified. Protein synthesis begins with a ...