The MYST Family Histone Acetyltransferase SasC Governs Diverse Biological Processes in Aspergillus fumigatus

The conserved MYST proteins form the largest family of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) that acetylate lysines within the N-terminal tails of histone, enabling active gene transcription. Here, we have investigated the biological and regulatory functions of the MYST family HAT SasC in the opportunistic human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus using a series of genetic, biochemical, pathogenic, and transcriptomic analyses. The deletion (Delta) of sasC results in a drastically reduced colony growth, asexual development, spore germination, response to stresses, and the fungal virulence. Genome-wide expression analyses have revealed that the Delta sasC mutant showed 2402 significant differentially expressed genes: 1147 upregulated and 1255 downregulated. The representative upregulated gene resulting from Delta sasC is hacA, predicted to encode a bZIP transcription factor, whereas the UV-endonuclease UVE-1 was significantly downregulated by Delta sasC. Furthermore, our Western blot analyses suggest that SasC likely catalyzes the acetylation of H3K9, K3K14, and H3K29 in A. fumigatus. In conclusion, SasC is associated with diverse biological processes and can be a potential target for controlling pathogenic fungi.

Automated summary

This study investigated the biological and regulatory functions of the MYST family HAT SasC in the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. The results showed that the deletion of sasC significantly reduced colony growth, fungal virulence, and gene expression in A. fumigatus.