16S rRNA

16S rRNA is found within the 30S rRNA sub-unit of ribosomes. 16S rRNA contains a ribosomal binding site, known as the Shine Dalgarno sequence. During translation of protein synthesis, the initiator region of mRNA binds very near the 3' end of the 16S rRNA at the Shine Dalgarno sequence. The number of base pairs linking mRNA and 16S rRNA ranges from three to nine.