start codon

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Food Biotechnology

The codon which specifies the first amino acid of a polypeptide chain and at which the ribosome starts the process of translation. In bacteria, this is either AUG (translated as n-formyl methionine) or, rarely, GUG (valine). In eukaryotes, it is always AUG and is translated as methionine. The start codon sets the reading frame for translation. Synonym: initiation codon.

UN Food and Agriculture Organization — Glossary of Biotechnology for Food and Agriculture