Function of in Fungal Development and Aflatoxin Production in .

The calcineurin pathway is an important signaling cascade for growth, sexual development, stress response, and pathogenicity in fungi. In this study, we investigated the function of CrzA, a key transcription factor of the calcineurin pathway, in an aflatoxin-producing fungus . To examine the role of the gene, deletion mutant strains in were constructed and their phenotypes, including fungal growth, spore formation, and sclerotial formation, were examined. Absence of results in decreased colony growth, the number of conidia, and sclerocia production. The -deficient mutant strains were more susceptible to osmotic pressure and cell wall stress than control or complemented strains. Moreover, deletion of results in a reduction in aflatoxin production. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CrzA is important for differentiation and mycotoxin production in .