We have determined the sequence of the phytochrome A gene (PHYA) and its flanking DNA from Arabidopsis thaliana and have identified transcription start sites for three nested transcripts of increasing length. The overall structure of the gene is similar as regards exon/intron organization to other angiosperm PHY genes characterized. The triple transcription start site arrangement is similar to that of pea PHYA but different from the single start site of oat, rice and maize PHYA genes, indicating a possible monocot-dicot difference. Comparison of the Arabidopsis PHYA promoter sequence with others available indicates that both pea and Arabidopsis promoters contain a DNA element with a core sequence motif identical to one conserved in all existing monocot PHYA sequences and defined by functional assay in the oat PHYA gene as repressor element, RE1, responsible for negative light regulation.