The correct option is C AUG
The most common initiation codon is AUG, which codes for methionine or, in bacteria, as formylmethionine. Alternative initiation codons depending on the organism is "GUG" or "UUG" and codes for valine and leucine, respectively, but as start codons they are translated as methionine or formylmethionine. The initiation codon initiates the translation process. Thus, the correct answer is option C.