The organization and expression of the human L7a ribosomal protein gene

The genomic structure and sequence of the human ribosomal protein L7a (rpL7a) and its transcriptional start sites have been determined. The gene contains eight exons and seven introns spread over 3179 bp. The human rpL7a gene is similar to other mammalian ribosomal protein genes in containing a short first exon, a short 5' untranslated leader and its transcriptional start sites at C residues embedded in a polypyrimidine tract. The 25 bp polypyrimidine tract containing the two human rpL7a start sites is the longest polypyrimide tract so far observed for a mammalian ribosomal protein gene.