The cats gene encodes the major catalase in Sreptomyces coelicolor, whose production increases upon H$_2$O$_2$treatment. Besides the previously identified primary promoter (catApl), a minor promoter (catAp2) was newly assigned by S1 nuclease mapping. The catAp2 transcript was observed transiently upon entry into the stationary phase in liquid culture and upon differentiation on solid plates, whereas the level of catApl transcription did not chance significantly during this growth transition. ThecatApl promoter was transcribed by the major vegetative RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing $sigma$$^$HrdB/, whereas the catAp2 was transcribed in vitro by the holoenzyme containing $sigma$$^$R/ that is activated under oxidative conditions. The cia-element regulating the H$_2$O$_2$-inducibility of catApl was identified within the 23 bp inverted repeat sequence located between -65 and -43 of the catApl promoter. We roamed this sequence HRE (H$_2$O$_2$-responsive Element). The distal half of the inverted repeat was more crucial for H$_2$O$_2$-dependent induction of the catApl transcript than the proximal half. HRE most likely serves as a binding site for the H$_2$O$_2$-responsive repressor CatR.