Expression of the high-affinity receptor for IgG (Fc gamma RI) is restricted to cells of myeloid lineage and is induced by gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) but not by IFN-alpha/beta. The organization of the human Fc gamma RI gene has been determined and the DNA elements governing its cell type-restricted transcription and IFN-gamma induction are reported here. A 39-nucleotide sequence (IFN-gamma response region, or GRR) is defined that is both necessary and sufficient for IFN-gamma inducibility. Sequence analysis of the GRR reveals the presence of promoter elements initially defined for the major histocompatibility complex class II genes: i.e., X, H, and gamma-IRE sequences. Comparison of a number of genes whose expression is induced selectively by IFN-gamma indicates that the presence of these elements is a general feature of IFN-gamma-responsive genes. Our studies suggest that the combination of X, H, and gamma-IRE elements is a common motif in the pathway of transcriptional induction by this lymphokine.