The structure and complete sequence of the gene encoding chicken ribosomal protein L5

The nucleotide (nt) sequence of the gene encoding chicken ribosomal protein L5, which associates with 5S rRNA, was determined. The gene contains eight exons and seven introns which spread over 7252 bp. The transcription start point (tsp) is a C residue in a tract of 13 pyrimidines, and its 5'-flanking region lacks canonical TATA and CAAT boxes. The G+C content of the region around the tsp is calculated as high as 78%, and nine GC boxes exist within the 5'-flanking region and the first intron. The nt sequence at positions -36 to -22 is similar to an internal sequence at positions 56-70 of the gene encoding chicken 5S rRNA, which corresponds to the transcriptional internal control region of the 5S rRNA-encoding gene of Xenopus laevis. This region might contribute to the coordinate expression of the genes encoding protein L5 and 5S rRNA.