We recently identified the w inged-helix/fork head transcription factor Trident in mouse and described its expression in cycling cells. Here w e report the iso lation and characterization of the hum an TRIDENT (HGMW-approved sym bol FKHL16) cDNA and gene. Homology betw een th e hum an and th e m ouse Trident proteins was 79%. The gene consists o f 10 exons and is located on chrom osom e 12 band p l3 . The wingedhelix DNA-binding dom ain is encoded on three exons. Analysis of the prom oter in synchronized Rat-1 fibro blasts revealed a fragm ent of 300 b ases responsible for the cell cycle-specific expression o f th e TRIDENT gene. < D 1997 Academic P ress