Abstract
The 5′ non‐coding region of the tyrosyl‐tRNA synthetase gene (tyrS) of Bacillus stearothermophilus is 324 nucleotides long. It contains a premature terminator and a strong promoter: these were identified in vitro by RNA run‐off experiments and in Escherichia coli by construction of specific mutants. The terminator consists of a stem and loop structure followed by the string of T residues characteristic of rho‐independent termination. This is preceded by another stem and loop structure which may permit the formation of an anti‐terminator. Neither the promoter nor the premature terminator appears to be regulated by the tyrosyl‐tRNA synthetase in vitro or in E. coli.