Guo-Long Zhu

HsfA-driven gene transcription regulates fungal morphogenesis and pathogenicity

It is demonstrated that A. flavus encodes two hsfA copies, whose knockdown or expression of a dominant-negative variant abrogates spore germination, a prerequisite for fungal development and colonization, and established HsfA as a pivotal regulator of A. flavus virulence and uncovered a novel HSF regulatory pathway.