The nucleotide sequence of an 8.2 kb BamHI fragment containing the entire chicken histone H2AF gene has been determined. Unlike the majority of histone genes, the coding region is interrupted by four intervening sequences. While sequencing the 8.2 kb BamHI fragment it was found that the promoter and first exon of an unidentified non-histone gene lies immediately downstream of the H2AF gene. Studies of H2AF gene transcription show that, unlike the major core and H1 histone genes, it is not coupled to DNA synthesis.