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Properties of Putative APSES Transcription Factor AfpA in Aspergillus fumigatus

Young-Ho Choi1, Min-Woo Lee2, Kwang-Soo Shin1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Graduate School, Daejeon University, Daejeon 34520, Republic of Korea.

Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 26, 2025
PubMed

Insights

AfpA, a transcription factor in Aspergillus fumigatus, balances fungal growth, development, and pathogenicity. Deleting AfpA in the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus enhances its virulence in mice.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • * *Aspergillus fumigatus* is an opportunistic pathogen causing invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised individuals.
  • * APSES family transcription factors are known regulators of fungal development and virulence.
  • * The specific role of the APSES-type transcription factor AfpA in *A. fumigatus* was previously uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To elucidate the function of the AfpA transcription factor in *Aspergillus fumigatus*.
  • * To investigate AfpA's role in regulating fungal growth, development, and pathogenicity.

Main Methods:

  • * Construction and phenotypic analysis of a Δ*afpA* mutant.
  • * RT-qPCR analysis to assess gene expression.
  • * Virulence studies in a neutropenic mouse model.

Main Results:

  • * The Δ*afpA* mutant showed reduced vegetative growth and increased conidiation.
  • * Upregulation of asexual developmental regulators (*brlA*, *abaA*, *wetA*) was observed in the mutant.
  • * AfpA positively regulated cAMP-PKA signaling, delaying conidia germination and enhancing virulence in mice.

Conclusions:

  • * AfpA acts as a crucial regulator of growth, development, and pathogenicity in *A. fumigatus*.
  • * AfpA influences asexual development and stress responses.
  • * Disruption of AfpA leads to increased fungal virulence, highlighting its role in host-pathogen interactions.
Keywords:
APSES transcription factorAfpAAspergillus fumigatusasexual developmentstress responsesvirulence

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