A recombinant nucleic acid comprising nucleotides corresponding to a 3.2 kb 3' untranslated region present in mouse calcium calmodulin kinase II alpha subunit-encoding mRNA is provided. An isolated nucleic acid which hybridizes to the 3' untranslated region of mouse calcium calmodulin kinase II alpha subunit-encoding mRNA under conditions comprising two post-hybridization washes of 15 minutes each at 42.degree. C. in 0.2.times. standard sodium citrate buffer is also provided.