The nucleotide sequences of the untranslated 5' regions of human alpha- and beta-globin mRNAs.

Abstract
The complete sequences of the untranslated 5'' regions of human .alpha.- and .beta.-globin mRNA were determined by sequence analysis of full-length cDNA. The single-stranded cDNA were digested with the restriction endonuclease Hae III and the 2 3''-terminal fragments of 75 and 132 nucleotides, complementary to the 5'' termini of the .alpha.- and .beta.-globin mRNA, respectively, were isolated and sequenced. Including the initiation codon AUG, the untranslated 5'' regions of human .alpha.- and .beta.-globin mRNA contain 41 and 54 nucleotides, respectively, and exhibit striking homologies with the corresponding sequences in the rabbit. Human .alpha.- and .beta.-globin mRNA have 5 bases in the region of the initiation codon that may form base pairs with the 3'' terminus of 18S rRNA. Stable secondary structures with hairpin loops can be constructed in the untranslated 5'' regions.