Statistical analysis of the relationship between translation initiation AUG context and gene expression level in humans.

The preference for the optimal nucleotide of the mammalian translation initiation AUG context [GCCGCC(A/G)CCaugG] is generally more pronounced in the highly expressed genes than in the transcription factor genes at the -9 through -1 positions in humans. The influence of amino acid preference on the nucleotide choice at the +4 position was also examined.