Final answer:
The conserved sequence at the 5' end of prokaryotic mRNA matching the 3' end of small subunit rRNA is the Shine-Dalgarno sequence, essential for initiating protein synthesis via ribosome alignment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conserved sequence found at the 5' end of a prokaryotic mRNA that is complementary to the 3' end of a small subunit rRNA is called the Shine-Dalgarno sequence. This sequence, typically AGGAGG, is pivotal to the initiation of prokaryotic translation because it aligns the mRNA with the 30S ribosome subunit, facilitating the correct positioning for the start of protein synthesis.
In Escherichia coli (E. coli), the Shine-Dalgarno sequence precedes the first AUG codon and enables the interaction with the rRNA, setting the stage for the formation of the initiation complex with GTPases and other initiation factors (IFs).It interacts with the rRNA molecules comprising the 30S ribosome and helps to initiate translation. The Shine-Dalgarno sequence in E. coli mRNA is AGGAGG.