The Zn2Cys6-type transcription factor LeuB cross-links regulation of leucine biosynthesis and iron acquisition in Aspergillus fumigatus

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007762
• Publication Date: 2018-10-26T17:27:20Z
• Authors: Nanbiao Long; Thomas Orasch; Shizhu Zhang; Lu Gao; Xiaoling Xu; Peter Hortschansky; Jing Ye; Fenli Zhang; Kai Xu; Fabio Gsaller; Maria Straßburger; Ulrike Binder; Thorsten Heinekamp; Axel A. Brakhage; Hubertus Haas; Ling Lu
• Keywords: Aspergillus nidulans

Both branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and iron are essential nutrients for eukaryotic cells. Previously, the Zn2Cys6-type transcription factor Leu3/LeuB was shown to play a crucial role in regulation of BCAA biosynthesis nitrogen metabolism Saccharomyces cerevisiae Aspergillus nidulans. In this study, we found that A. fumigatus homolog LeuB is involved not only but also acquisition including siderophore metabolism. Lack caused growth defect, which cured by supplementation with leucine or iron. Moreover, simultaneous inactivation HapX, bZIP required adaptation starvation, significantly aggravated defect one these regulators during starvation. agreement direct both metabolism, bind phylogenetically conserved motifs promoters genes biosynthesis, vitro vivo, full activation their expression. protease activity autophagy via depletion. resulted virulence attenuation Galleria mellonella. Taken together, study identified previously uncharacterized cross-regulation BCCA homeostasis as well proteolysis.