In prokaryotes, the selection of the start codon depends on the interaction between the small subunit of the ribosome and the mRNA template. The 30S subunit binds to a purine-rich mRNA template immediately upstream of the correct start codon. This region is called the SD sequence (Shine-Dalgarno sequence), which complements a pyrimidine-rich region at the 3' end of 16S rRNA. During initiation complex formation, these complementary nucleotides pair to form double-stranded RNA structures that allow mRNA to bind to the ribosome, resulting in initiation codon localization at the P site of the ribosome.