CHROMOSOMAL LOCALIZATION OF HUMAN RNA-POLYMERASE-II SUBUNIT GENES

The eukaryotic DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II (or B) is composed of 1 0 to 14 polypeptides ranging from 220 to 10 kDa. To gain further insig ht into the molecular structure and function of these subunits, we hav e undertaken the molecular cloning of nucleotide sequences correspondi ng to the human enzyme. The cDNAs of five subunits (hRPB220, hRPB140, hRPB33, hRPB25, and hRPB14.5) have been isolated. Using in situ hybrid ization, we show that the genes of these subunits have distinct chromo somal locations (17p13, 4q12, 16q13-q21, 19p13.3, and 19q12, respectiv ely). Thus, if assembly of active polymerase molecules requires coordi nated expression from these independent genes, mechanisms that ensure tight coregulation of the corresponding promoters must exist. (C) 1994 Academic Press,inc.