The AwHog1 Transcription Factor Influences the Osmotic Stress Response, Mycelium Growth, OTA Production, and Pathogenicity in Aspergillus westerdijkiae fc-1

Aspergillus westerdijkiae, known as the major ochratoxin A (OTA) producer, usually occurs on agricultural crops, fruits, and dry-cured meats. Microorganisms produce OTA to adapt high osmotic pressure environment that is generated during food processing storage. To investigate relationship between biosynthesis osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway, transcription factor AwHog1 gene in A. westerdijkiae was functionally characterised by means of a loss-of-function mutant. Our findings demonstrated growth production mutant lacking decreased significantly more sensitive media. The ΔAwHog1 displayed lower rate 73.16% reduction wheat medium compared wild type. After three days culture, with 60 g/L NaCl 150 glucose slowed down 19.57% 13.21%, respectively. Additionally, expression genes reduced deletion gene. infection ability decreased, scab diameter pear 6% smaller than These data revealed plays key role response, growth, production, pathogenicity westerdijkiae.