Three functional ribosomal protein genes are unlinked in mouse genome

The mouse chromosomes bearing three functional ribosomal protein (rp) genes were identified by Southern blot analysis of DNA from a panel of mouse-hamster hybrid cell lines. Unique sequence intron probes were used to distinguish the functional rp genes from their multiple processed pseudogene counterparts. The genes specifying ribosomal proteins S16, L30, and L32 were found to be on chromosomes 7, 15, and 6, respectively. Since these functional rp genes are widely dispersed in the mouse genome, coordinate regulation of their transcriptional activity cannot be accomplished by a structural alteration of a single chromosomal region. Rather, it would have to involve interactions with sequences or structural motifs that are common to all three genes.