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Abstract
The understanding of the molecular mechanisms implicated in symptom development of Dutch elm disease is of great interest for biological control of Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, the principal agent of Dutch elm disease. In this respect, the identification of virulence genes in this fungus is of prime importance. Pat1 is the only pathogenicity locus reported so far and its involvement in the virulence still needs to be confirmed. We studied genes and proteins that might be encoded by Pat1 by two different methods: chromosome walking on the aggressive strain H327 DNA and 2D gel electrophoresis of yeast-like cells. Several open reading frames were sequenced during walking including one which was coding for a high affinity ammonium transporter. In addition, we also found ten candidate peptides for Pat1 and another one for the MatA mating-type allele. Additional tests are needed to confirm the identity of Pat1 but we have provided the first genomic description of the genes located in the vicinity of the Pat1 locus and identified peptides that could be encoded by it.