In this study,a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene was cloned from Lamiophlomis rotata by the methods of Reverse-Transcription PCR and RACE.The full-length cDNA of L.rotata PAL (designated as LrPAL) was 2 298 bp,and contained a complete open reading frame (ORF) of 2 145 bp,which encoded 714 amino acid residues.Sequence analysis showed that it contains the typical PAL active site sequence (GTITASGDLVPLSYIA).Homology analysis indicated that the deduced LrPAL protein was highly homologous to other PAL proteins from different plant species.Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that LrPAL had closer relationship with PALs from Labiatae plants than that from other plants.The results from Real-Time PCR indicated that the expression of LrPAL gene was the strongest in the leaves of L.rotata,and the least in shoots.As a result,the gene LrPAL which was cloned and characterized from L.rotata is a typical member of PAL family.The result indicated that LrPAL gene played a important role in the development of L.rotata plant.