MaAzaR, a Zn₂Cys₆/Fungus-Specific Transcriptional Factor, Is Involved in Stress Tolerance and Conidiation Pattern Shift in Metarhizium acridum.

ABSTRACT: Entomopathogenic fungi are valuable sources of biological pesticides, with conidial yield and quality being pivotal factors determining their broad applications. AzaR, a fungus-specific zinc-cluster transcription factor, is known to regulate the biosynthesis of polyketone secondary metabolites in Aspergillus niger; however, its role in pathogenic fungi remains unclear. This study investigated the role of MaAzaR in the growth, development, and environmental tolerance of Metarhizium acridum. MaAzaR deletion slowed down conidial germination rate, caused reduction in conidial yield, lowered fungal tolerance to UV radiation, did not affect fungal heat-shock tolerance, and increased fungal sensitivity to the cell-wall-destructive agent calcofluor white. Furthermore, <

SUBMITTER: Zhou J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11278141 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature