Random sequencing of expressed sequence tags in roots of Chinese cabbage led to isolation of a partial cDNA clone, BR77, which encoded a putative protein kinase. Using the BR77 cDNA as a probe, we isolated a full-length cDNA encoding the Brassica campestris protein kinase 1 (Bcpk1). The Bcpt1 cDNA contained one open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 439 amino acids. The putative polypeptide consisted of a short N-terminal region and a protein kinase catalytic domain. The catalytic domain of Bcpkl showed a high homology to cAMP- and calcium- phospholipid-dependent subfamilies of serine/threonine protein kineses. Eleven major catalytic domains in protein kineses were well conserved in Bcpk1. However, Bcpk1 contained a unique nonhomologous intervening sequence between subdomains VII and VIII, which was not found in protein kineses of animals and lower eukaryotes. Genomic DNA gel blot analysis showed that Bcpt1 genes might be present as three copies in the Chinese cabbage genome. These imply that Bcpk1 belongs to a plant-specific serine/threonine protein kinase subfamily.