Function of <i>crzA</i> in Fungal Development and Aflatoxin Production in <i>Aspergillus flavus</i>

• Main Authors: Su-Yeon Lim, Ye-Eun Son, Dong-Hyun Lee, Tae-Jin Eom, Min-Ju Kim, Hee-Soo Park
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-09-01
• Series: Toxins
• Subjects: crza; calcineurin; aflatoxin; <i>aspergillus flavus</i>; asexual development
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/11/10/567

The calcineurin pathway is an important signaling cascade for growth, sexual development, stress response, and pathogenicity in fungi. In this study, we investigated the function of CrzA, a key transcription factor of the calcineurin pathway, in an aflatoxin-producing fungus <i>Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus)</i>. To examine the role of the <i>crzA</i> gene, <i>crzA</i> deletion mutant strains in <i>A. flavus</i> were constructed and their phenotypes, including fungal growth, spore formation, and sclerotial formation, were examined. Absence of <i>crzA</i> results in decreased colony growth, the number of conidia, and sclerocia production. The <i>crzA</i>-deficient mutant strains were more susceptible to osmotic pressure and cell wall stress than control or complemented strains. Moreover, deletion of <i>crzA</i> results in a reduction in aflatoxin production. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CrzA is important for differentiation and mycotoxin production in <i>A. flavus</i>.