STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MOUSE RIBOSOMAL-PROTEIN S6-ENCODING GENE

The gene encoding mouse ribosomal protein (r-protein) S6 is 2.7 kb in length, and is composed of five exons. The intron positions of the mou se S6 (Rps6) coincide exactly to those of the homologous human S6 (RPS 6), but the last intron present in the human is absent in the mouse ge ne. The latter displays higher G+C content than the RPS6, both in the overall sequenced region and at the 3rd codon position. The promoter a rea is highly conserved between mouse and human, and contains several putative cis-acting elements. Comparison of the intronic sequences of both genes revealed surprisingly a high degree of identity (63%) withi n 350 bp of the first intron. Besides the single-copy Rps6 there are u p to 15 S6 family members, most likely processed pseudogenes. Characte rization of the Rps6 provides a basis to study the functions of the ma mmalian S6 by gene targeting.