Research Advances on the Functions of Transcriptional Regulators in Filamentous Fungi

Filamentous fungi are ubiquitous eukaryotic microorganisms characterized by multicellular architectures and branched hyphal structures. They are used in industrial production for the manufacture of enzyme preparations, various organic acids, and secondary metabolites. Transcription factors serve as core regulatory molecules governing vital biological processes in filamentous fungi. This review systematically elaborates on the classification, structural features, and functional diversity of transcription factors in filamentous fungi, with a focus on their regulatory roles in hyphal growth, morphological differentiation, metabolite synthesis, and environmental stress responses. We further summarize the key transcription factors in three representative fungal genera, namely, Aspergillus, Trichoderma, and Penicillium. Additionally, the potential applications of genetically engineering transcription factors to increase the yield of metabolites are discussed. This review provides a comprehensive theoretical framework for the genetic modification and high-value utilization of filamentous fungi.