A cDNA clone encoding the mouse counterpart to adult hamster liver purified growth inhibitory factor (PGIF) was isolated from a mouse liver cDNA library by using antibodies raised against PGIF and sequenced. It contained a single open reading frame with a coding capacity for a 323 amino acid protein. Sequence analysis showed that it shared high homology with rat- and human liver arginases: the cDNA clone was 92% identical for rat arginase at the nucleotide level and was 93% identical to it at the deduced amino acid level. These results suggest that PGIF derived from adult hamster liver was identical or closely related to an isoform of hamster liver arginases.