The novel spore-specific regulator SscA controls conidiogenesis.

Filamentous fungi produce myriads of asexual spores, which are the main reproductive particles that act as infectious or allergenic agents. Although the serial of asexual sporogenesis is coordinated by various genetic regulators, there remain uncharacterized transcription factors in . To understand the underlying mechanism of spore formation, integrity, and viability, we have performed comparative transcriptomic analyses on three species and found a spore-specific transcription factor, SscA. SscA has a major role in conidial formation, maturation and dormancy, and germination in . Functional studies indicate that SscA coordinates conidial wall integrity, amino acid production, and secondary metabolism in conidia. Furthermore, the roles of SscA are conserved in other species. Our findings that the SscA has broad functions in conidia will help to understand the conidiogenesis of species.