The novel spore-specific regulator SscA controls Aspergillus conidiogenesis

초록

A major group of fungi produces asexual spores (conidia) for dissemination and propagation and, in pathogenic fungi, for infection. Despite the critical role of conidia, the underlying mechanism of spore formation, integrity, and viability is not fully elucidated. In this study, we have identified and investigated the roles of the spore-specific transcription factor (TF) SscA in three Aspergillus species, including A. nidulans, A. flavus, and A. fumigatus, which is a model system, toxin producer, or a prevalent human pathogen, respectively. Comparative transcriptomic analyses have revealed that 25 TF encoding genes showed higher mRNA levels in conidia than in hyphae in three species. Functional analyses of the 25 genes have identified SscA as a key TF for conidial formation, maturation, germination, integrity, amino acid production, and secondary metabolism in Aspergillus nidulans conidia. Importantly, the roles of SscA are conserved in other Aspergillus species. Altogether, our study demonstrates that SscA is a spore-specific TF that governs the production of intact and functional conidial formation in Aspergillus species.

키워드