MsnA controls master regulators as well as regulatory gene networks to mediate developmental and salt-stress signals in A. nidulans.

The illustrated model shows the global influence that MsnA has in different facets of A. nidulans ` biology. Master regulators of the asexual ( fluG , flbs , sclB , blrA , wetA , vapA and VipC ) as well as sexual ( nsdC /D, steA , veA and nosA ) development, are directly ( in vivo ) transcriptionally controlled by MsnA. A dynamic, mutual cross-regulatory circuit between MsnA and VelB coordinates and mediates several signals into organized transcriptional responses. Although, stress responses (such as high concentration of NaCl) are solely mediated by MsnA without any implication of VelB. MsnA seems to keep the salt-stress signaling off, when no real stimulus is present, by the direct repression of crucial stress TFs such as AtfA and AslA. Secondary metabolism is also influenced by the function of MsnA. Transcriptional changes, provoked by MsnA eventually lead to changes in the final secondary metabolites (related to the defense or the development) of the corresponding metabolic pathways. Green crosses (+) depict the induction and red hyphens (-) the repression, caused by the direct in vivo association of MsnA to promoters of the corresponding genes. The construction of this cartoon figure was done by using the freely available vector graphics software of Inkscape ( https://inkscape.org/ ).