We have isolated genomic recombinants containing the complete gene coding for the rabbit translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP), also known as histamine-releasing factor (HRF) P23. The gene is organized into five introns and six exons and its total length amounts to 3819 nucleotides. All intron/exon boundaries are in accordance with the GT/AG rule. Transcription of the gene generates two mRNAs of 843 and 1163 nucleotides differing in the length of their 3'-untranslated regions. They are formed by alternative polyadenylation. The transcription initiation site has been determined by comparison of sequences of the gene and several processed TCTP pseudogenes. The full-length 5'-untranslated region comprises 116 nucleotides and starts with an oligopyrimidine tract important for translational regulation. Additionally 1.2 kb of the 5'-flanking promoter region has been sequenced. The promoter contains a TATA box at -30 and potential binding sites for transcription factors such as stimulating protein 1 (Sp1), nuclear factor 1 (NF1), activator protein 1 (AP1), c-Ets1, cAMP-response element (CP2), myeloid-specific zinc finger protein 1 (MZF1) and others. For functional analysis 5'-flanking sequences up to -918 were fused to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene and tested using a rabbit aortic smooth-muscle cell line by cell transfection and CAT assays. The results confirm that the analyzed gene is the actively transcribed TCTP gene.