A catalase gene of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp malvae is highly expressed during the necrotrophic phase of infection of round-leaved mallow,Malva pusilla

A small-subunit peroxisomal catalase gene, cgcat1, was cloned from Colletot richum gloeosporioides f. sp. malvae, a hemibiotrophic pathogen of round-le aved mallow (Malva pusilla). When compared to the expression of an actin ac ne of the fungus, a much lower level of expression of cgcat1 was detected i n the biotrophic phase than in the subsequent necrotrophic phase of infecti on. In culture, cgeat1 was expressed at higher levels when exposed to hydro gen peroxide. Changes in cgcat1 expression during infection may have relate d to an attempt to prevent damage from hydrogen peroxide from degenerating host cells, and/or resulted from changes in fungal nutrition and developmen t during invasion of the host. (C) 2001 Federation of European Microbiologi cal Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.