The arginase structural gene (agaA) from Aspergillus nidulans has been cloned and characterised. Depending on the growth conditions of the mycelium, transcripts of this gene have different 5'ends. These differences could result either from the presence of multiple transcription initiation sites or from differential processing of mRNA. The agaA mRNA has a long 5'UTR with a potentially complex secondary structure. Putative arginine binding aptamers were found in this UTR suggesting interesting possibilities for regulation of the agaA expression.