ZfpA-Dependent Quorum Sensing Shifts in Morphology and Secondary Metabolism in Aspergillus flavus.

ABSTRACT: Development of the fungal pathogen Aspergillus flavus involves the balance of asexual spores (conidia) and overwintering hardened hyphal masses (sclerotia). This balance is achieved by an oxylipin-based density-dependent mechanism regulating the switch from sclerotia to conidia as population density increases in A. flavus. Here, we show the transcription factor ZfpA, required for normal oxylipin synthesis, regulates the morphology switch. ZfpA overexpression (OE::zfpA) accelerates the shift leading to increased conidial production and reduced sclerotial production under conditions normally supporting sclerotia formation. In contrast, zfpA deletion (ΔzfpA) produces more sclerotia than wild-type control. These morphology changes are coupled with changes in tissue-specific secondary metabolit

SUBMITTER: Otoo B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12014256 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature