Abstract: GLK transcription factor is a member of GARP transcription factor superfamily,which plays a role in regulating plant chloroplast development,biological and abiotic stress,senescence and hormone signal transduction. GLK had been successfully used in leaf color improvement of Betula platyphylla and Populus alba ×P. berolinensis,etc. In order to explore the function of UlGLK gene in Ulmus laevis and provide reference for molecular design and breeding of U. laevis. UlGLK was cloned from U. laevis and sequenced and the internal reference genes were screened for qRT-PCR analysis and the tissue expression characteristics of UlGLK gene was analyzed. The results showed that the ORF of UlGLK gene was 1 353 bp in length,encoded 450 amino acids,which had high homology with cannabis sativa and Morus notabilis. Based on the expression levels of Ubiquitin,Actin and Tubulin genes in U. laevis root,stem and leaf respectively,ubiquitin gene was identified as an internal reference for qRT PCR analysis. Analysis of tissue expression characteristics of UlGLK showed that the expression level of UlGLK was the highest in leaf,but lower in root and stem. The results provided a reference for further molecular breeding of U. laevis.