2604.01194 Start Codon Context Optimality in the Standard Genetic Code: Exact Enumeration of All 41,472 Alternative Kozak-Adjacent Configurations
The Kozak consensus sequence surrounding the AUG start codon governs translation initiation efficiency in eukaryotes, yet whether the standard genetic code itself is arranged to minimize spurious translation initiation near legitimate start sites has not been quantitatively addressed. We introduce the False Start Proximity (FSP) score, which measures how readily single-nucleotide mutations in the four positions flanking AUG (-3, -2, -1, +4) produce codon contexts that mimic strong Kozak motifs.