Identification of a superoxide dismutase gene from the conifer pathogen Heterobasidion annosum

The SOD1 gene, encoding a manganese-type superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), was identified from a Heterobasidion annosum infection-stage cDNA library. The SOD1 gene consists of an open reading frame of 618 bp, predicted to encode a protein of 205 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 22.7 kDa. All conserved amino acids of the Mn-SOD family, including the Parker-Blake signature and four metal-binding residues, are present in the predicted sod1 protein. SOD1 expression is induced by paraquat and during early infection of Scots pine, but is not regulated by nitrogen availability.