An investigation into the transcription factors and regulatory mechanisms of <i>Aspergillus</i>

Abstract Aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus , a group of filamentous fungi widely distributed in nature as foodborne pathogens, are a major threat to food safety. It is thus clear that Aspergillus is inextricably linked to the food sector. Transcription factors enable the correct expression of genes at specific spatial and temporal levels, and they constitute a considerable proportion of the fungal genome sequence. Their presence is particularly important for growth, secondary metabolism, stress response, and pathogenic process of Aspergillus . This article reviews the functional regulatory mechanisms of important transcription factors in the foodborne pathogen Aspergillus flavus and other Aspergillus species, the current status of research technologies, and the potential value of applying them to diverse fields such as food safety, biotechnology, medical health, and agricultural output in the future.