We have cloned the RNA polymerase sigma-like factors from a wide range of actinomycetes by using specific primers with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The specific oligonucleotide primers were designed on the basis of amino acid sequences of conserved regions from HrdA, B, D of Streptomyces griseus as well as from the rpoD box of many eubacteria. The consensus sequences were from the rpoD box and helix-turn-helix motif involved in -35 recognition. The designed primers were successfully applied to amplify the DNA fragments of the hrd homolog genes from 8 different strains of actinomycetes which produce a wide variety of important antibiotics. The 480 bp of the DNA fragment was amplified from all 8 strains, and it was identified as a part of hrdA and hrdB as we designed. The deduced amino acid sequence of PCR-amplified DNA fragments were highly homologous to those of other known RNA polymerase sigma factors of S. griseus and Streptomyces aureofaciens. Therefore, this study with specifically designed primers will support rapid cloning of the RNA polymerase sigma factors which recognize different classes of promoters from actinomycetes, and it will also be helpful in understanding the relationship of promoters and sigma factors leading to heterogeneity of RNA polymerases in actinomycetes.