A novel signal transduction pathway involved in regulation of development and mycotoxin production in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans

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Fungal development and secondary metabolism is regulated by external signals. How such signals are transmitted to induce developmental programs is largely unknown. We previously showed that the MAPK-related protein kinase ImeB of Aspergillus nidulans is involved in the regulation of development in response to light and required for the production of the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin (ST). With this project, I aim to elucidate molecular mechanisms, how ImeB contributes to regulation of development and mycotoxin production. First, I will perform a comprehensive characterisation of ImeB, by in vitro kinase assays and by in vivo approaches. A major aim of this project is the identification of factors acting in a common signal transduction pathway with ImeB, primarily protein kinases regulating ImeB and substrates of ImeB. Furthermore, I aim to elucidate, how ImeB affects expression of the ST biosynthesis gene cluster, focussing on the influence of ImeB on key regulators of this cluster, particularly the transcriptional activator AflR. Findings in A. nidulans will be subsequently applied in the aflatoxin-producing species Aspergillus flavus. In summary, this project should help to better understand the regulatory network controlling development and mycotoxin production in filamentous fungi.