We have examined the expression of a maize nuclear tuf gene (tufA) coding for the chloroplast translation elongation factor EF-Tu. Southern analysis revealed that the maize chloroplast EF-Tu was encoded by at least two distinct genes in the nuclear genome. In order to know the effect of light on the expression of the tufA gene during maize chloroplast biogenesis, we have analyzed the steady-state level of the tufA mRNAs by Northern analysis. The steady-state level of the tufA mRNAs was similar in both continuous light- and dark-grown seedlings. The level of the tufA mRNAs also maintained at relatively same level during light-induced greening of etiolated seedlings and all examined developmental stages. These results indicate that the gene expression of the maize chloroplast EF-Tu is rarely light-regulated at it`s mRNA level during chloroplast biogenesis.