We have investigated the genetic control of murine catalase expression by analyzing catalase transcription and translation products from the tissues of control (Csa) and acatalasemic (Csb) mouse strains. Csb animals possess nearly normal catalase enzyme activity levels in liver, while displaying approximately 20 and 1% of normal activity levels in kidney and red blood cells, respectively. Immunoblot analyses of catalase in these tissues have revealed reduced levels of immunologically reactive catalase protein in Csb kidney and red blood cells, paralleling the reduction of catalase enzyme activity in these tissues. In order to determine the molecular basis for Csb acatalasemia, we have isolated a cDNA clone for murine catalase and have used this probe to analyze Csa and Csb genomic DNA and catalase mRNA. These studies have revealed: 1) no restriction fragment length polymorphisms between Csa and Csb genomic DNAs; 2) no differences in the levels of Csa and Csb catalase mRNA within a single tissue; and 3) no differences in the sizes of Csa and Csb catalase mRNAs. These observations suggest that the genetic defect that produces the tissue-specific reduction of catalase expression in Csb mice is not due to a marked rearrangement of DNA within the Csb catalase structural gene. Furthermore, the Csb mutation does not act at the level of gene transcription or mRNA stability, but rather at the level of mRNA translation and/or catalase protein turnover.