Human histone genes are interspersed with members of the Alu family and with other transcribed sequences

We have isolated a series of recombinant λCh4A phages containing human histone genes. Histone H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 genes have been found to be clustered, but are not present in any simple repeat pattern. Hybridization of a blot containing phage DNA with S phase polysomal cDNA indicates the presence of additional sequences complementary to HeLa polysomal RNA sequences. Northern blot analysis using these clones as probes has also shown the presence of sequences complementary to non-histone-coding RNAs, some of which accumulate differentially in different stages of the cell cycle. We have also found, by hybridization with appropriate probes, that histone genes are interspersed with several copies of the Alu DNA family; however, not all of the histone genes are associated with an Alu DNA sequence.