We have localized the mRNA for the ribosomal phosphoprotein P2, a putative metastasis-related sequence, in normal colon and colonic carcinomas by in situ hybridization, using an oligonucleotide probe end-labelled with digoxigenin. The mRNA was identified in normal colonic epithelial cells, the intensity of the signal being greater in cells at the base of the crypts compared with those on the surface. A strong positive signal was also seen in plasma cells, in fibroblasts in granulation tissue, in ganglion cells, and in hepatocytes. A positive signal was identified in all 16 primary colonic tumours studied and in 7 hepatic metastases. In contrast to previous studies based on Northern blot analysis, we were unable to demonstrate increased expression in metastases as compared with primary tumours, nor could we demonstrate any increased expression in primary tumours which were associated with distant metastases.