The sequences responsible for specifying and regulating the transcription of the yeast ribosomal protein gene CYH2 have been studied using deletion analysis. We have identified a region between 235 and 260 nucleotides upstream of the transcription initiation which is necessary for transcription to occur. This region includes sequences which have been identified upstream of most yeast ribosomal protein genes. In the wild type gene the initiation of transcription occurs at several sites spread over about 15 nucleotides. Two TATA regions separated by about 40 nucleotides direct initiation to those sites. Deletion of those two TATA regions reveals a cryptic TATA which directs transcription initiation to specific sites downstream.