Unveiling the Functions of the VosA-VelB Target Gene in .

The regulators VosA and VelB are primarily involved in spore maturation and dormancy. Previous studies found that the VosA-VelB hetero-complex coordinates certain target genes that are related to fungal differentiation and conidial maturation in . Here, we characterized the VosA/VelB-inhibited developmental gene in . Phenotypic analyses demonstrated that the deleted mutant exhibited defect fungal growth, a reduced number of conidia, and delayed formation of sexual fruiting bodies. The deletion of decreased the amount of conidial trehalose, increased the sensitivity against heat stress, and reduced the conidial viability. Moreover, the absence of resulted in increased production of sterigmatocystin. Together, these results show that VidD is required for proper fungal growth, development, and sterigmatocystin production in .