Using the structural gene for the ribosomal protein L3 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a probe, we isolated a homologous fragment from genomic DNA of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Analysis of the plasmid carrying this fragment by hybridization selection and 2D-electrophoresis revealed a 31 kDa ribosomal protein. Transformation of the vector pDB248x containing this fragment into Schizosaccharomyces pombe leads to an increased level of mRNA suggesting that we have cloned the entire and actively transcribed gene.