RING is a really interesting new gene which plays important regulatory roles in many developmental processes as well as in plant-environment interactions. In the present report, the Zm RHCP1 gene encoding a putative RING-HC protein was isolated from maize and characterized. The Zm RHCP1 protein contained 310 amino acid residues with a conserved RINGHC zinc-finger motif and two transmembrane(TM) domains. Zm RHCP1 was expressed ubiquitously in various organs(root, stem, leaf, seedling, immature ear, and tassel), but its transcript levels were higher in vegetative organs than in reproductive organs. Moreover, the expression pattern of Zm RHCP1 in brace roots indicated that Zm RHCP1 functions in brace root initiation. In addition, Zm RHCP1 expression was regulated by abiotic stresses. The expression results suggested that Zm RHCP1 plays important roles in brace root development and abiotic stress responses. The findings of the present study provide important information to help us understand the function of Zm RHCP1 in maize. RING is a really interesting new gene which plays important regulatory roles in many developmental processes as well as in plant-environment interactions. In the present report, the Zm RHCP1 gene encoding a putative RING-HC protein was isolated from maize and characterized. RHCP1 protein contained 310 amino acid residues with a conserved RINGHC zinc-finger motif and two transmembrane (TM) domains. Zm RHCP1 was expressed ubiquitously in various organs (root, stem, leaf, seedling, immature ear, and tassel), but its transcript levels were higher in vegetative organs than in reproductive organs. Moreover, the expression pattern of Zm RHCP1 in brace roots indicates that Zm RHCP1 functions in brace root initiation. In addition, Zm RHCP1 expression was regulated by abiotic stresses. The expression results suggested that Zm RHCP1 plays important roles in brace root development and abiotic stress responses. The findings of the present study provide important information to help us understa nd the function of Zm RHCP1 in maize.