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MybA, a transcription factor involved in conidiation and conidial viability of the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus
Author(s) -
Valsecchi Isabel,
SarikayaBayram Özlem,
Wong Sak Hoi Joanne,
Muszkieta Laetitia,
Gibbons John,
Prevost MarieChristine,
Mallet Adeline,
KrijnseLocker Jacomina,
IbrahimGranet Oumaima,
Mouyna Isabelle,
Carr Paul,
Bromley Michael,
Aimanianda Vishukumar,
Yu JaeHyuk,
Rokas Antonis,
Braus Gerhard H,
Saveanu Cosmin,
Bayram Özgür,
Latgé Jean Paul
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/mmi.13744
Subject(s) - conidiation , biology , aspergillus fumigatus , virulence , microbiology and biotechnology , pathogen , gliotoxin , conidium , green fluorescent protein , fungal protein , pathogenic fungus , gene , genetics , peptide sequence
Summary Aspergillus fumigatus , a ubiquitous human fungal pathogen, produces asexual spores (conidia), which are the main mode of propagation, survival and infection of this human pathogen. In this study, we present the molecular characterization of a novel regulator of conidiogenesis and conidial survival called MybA because the predicted protein contains a Myb DNA binding motif. Cellular localization of the MybA::Gfp fusion and immunoprecipitation of the MybA::Gfp or MybA::3xHa protein showed that MybA is localized to the nucleus. RNA sequencing data and a uidA reporter assay indicated that the MybA protein functions upstream of wetA , vosA and velB , the key regulators involved in conidial maturation. The deletion of mybA resulted in a very significant reduction in the number and viability of conidia. As a consequence, the Δ mybA strain has a reduced virulence in an experimental murine model of aspergillosis. RNA‐sequencing and biochemical studies of the Δ mybA strain suggested that MybA protein controls the expression of enzymes involved in trehalose biosynthesis as well as other cell wall and membrane‐associated proteins and ROS scavenging enzymes. In summary, MybA protein is a new key regulator of conidiogenesis and conidial maturation and survival, and plays a crucial role in propagation and virulence of A. fumigatus .