The human liver and reticulocyte cytochrome b5 mRNAs are products from a single gene.

Using a combination of standard cDNA library screening techniques and the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) we have isolated and sequenced DNA fragments corresponding to the human reticulocyte cytochrome b5 mRNA. The reticulocyte specific sequence codes for amino acids 97 and 98 only, with a TAA stop codon. The reticulocyte specific 3'non-translated sequence has 15 new nucleotides then utilizes the liver mRNA sequence from amino acid 97 onward. This indicates that the reticulocyte specific exon has 24 base pairs (bp). In addition, we have isolated sequences that are derived from a transcribed cytochrome b5 pseudogene. This transcript contains multiple mutations which prevent the synthesis of any functional protein.