In order to explore the function and expression characteristics of ZmPRR1-2 gene and analyze the mechanism of the flowering regulation by photoperiod pathway in maize, we cloned cDNA sequence of the ZmPRR1-2 gene in the maize backbone inbred line ‘Huangzao 4’ and analyzed by bioinformatics. Tissue-specific expression analysis and 48 h circadian rhythm expression analysis of the gene were performed using qRT-PCR. The results showed that: (1) the full-length coding region of ZmPRR1-2 gene was 1 554 bp, encoding 517 amino acids. The encoded protein belonged to the PRR gene family, containing one REC domain and one CCT domain. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that ZmPRR1-2 gene was highly conserved in Poaceae plants. ZmPRR1-2 is a hydrophilic protein without transmembrane domain and signal peptide. (2) Tissue-specific expression analysis showed that the expression of ZmPRR1-2 gene in leaves was significantly higher than that of the other seven tissues, which indicated that ZmPRR1-2 gene mainly functions in the leaves, while the expression level in ear and silk was relatively low, and significantly lower than that in tassel. (3) Circadian rhythm expression analysis showed that under short-day conditions, the expression level of ZmPRR1-2 gene began to increase gradually after 3 h of light, and reached the peak at 3 h after the end of light. Under long-day conditions, the expression level of ZmPRR1-2 gene began to increase gradually after 6 h of light, and reached the peak at the end of light. It is suggested that ZmPRR1-2 gene has different regulatory functions on tassel development and ear development during maize flowering transformation. ZmPRR1-2 gene may play an important role in the regulation of maize circadian clock.