We isolated a cDNA clone that encodes a ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit (rbcS) from spinach using a soybean rbcS cDNA as a probe. The small subunit consists of 180 amino acids including a transit peptide of 57 residues. Comparison of the amino acid sequence with those of other plant species shows a maximum of 70-80% identical residues. Southern blot analysis suggests the existence of multiple rbcS genes in the spinach genome. Northern blot analysis indicates that the rbcS gene is expressed predominantly in leaves and that the expression of the gene is induced by light.