We have determined that a nodule-specific cDNA clone (GmCysPl), obtained from a soybean root nodule-specific EST pool, encodes cysteine proteinase. Its amino acid sequence homology, as well as the conservation of typical motifs and amino acid residues involved in active site formation, shows that GmCysP1 can be classified as a legumain (C13) family cysteine proteinase, belonging to clan CD. Moreover, based on its expression patterns, GmCysPl is a nodule-specific cysteine proteinase gene that is possibly associated with nodule development or senescence. Our genomic Southern analysis also suggests that GmCysPl is a member of a multigene family. Therefore, we propose that GmCysP1 is the first to be identified as a nodule-specific and senescence-related cysteine proteinase that belongs to the legumain family from soybean.