Complete sequence of the human RNA polymerase II largest subunit

Eukaryotic RNA polymerase II (or B) consists of 10 to 14 polypeptides ranging from 220 to 10 kD. The understanding in molecular terms of the initiation and elongation processes and their control by specific trans-acting regulatory proteins will ultimately require the cloning of all components of the transcriptional apparatus. We describe the molecular cloning and characterization of the cDNA encoding the human polymerase II largest subunit, RPBh1. In the present study, lambda-Zap HeLa cell cDNA libraries were screened with probes derived by specific PCR-mediated amplification of mouse cDNA sequences. The predicted 1970 amino acid sequence (calculated MW of 217205), is presented.