COMPASS subunit Bre2 regulates chromatin remodeler Arp9 to control Aspergillus flavus aflatoxin synthesis and virulence.

ABSTRACT: Aspergillus flavus, along with its notorious secondary metabolite aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), seriously endangers human health. Histone methyltransferase complex COMPASS (complex of proteins associated with Set1) plays a crucial role in regulating aflatoxin biosynthesis and virulence of A. flavus, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, we find that Bre2, the key subunit of COMPASS, regulates AFB1 biosynthesis, fungal morphogenesis, and virulence through modulation of H3K4 methylation. ChIP-seq and biochemical analyses reveal that chromatin remodeling factor (CRF) Arp9 is directly targeted by Bre2, and Arp9 exerts bio-functions through interacting with the other CRFs such as RSC8, Arp7, and Sth1. ATAC-seq results indicate that Arp9 contributes to fungal pathogenicity by modulating chromati

SUBMITTER: Zhuang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12923686 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature