Updating Insights into the Regulatory Mechanisms of Calcineurin-Activated Transcription Factor Crz1 in Pathogenic Fungi

Ca(2+), as a second messenger in cells, enables organisms to adapt to different environmental stresses by rapidly sensing and responding to external stimuli. In recent years, the Ca(2+) mediated calcium signaling pathway has been studied systematically in various mammals and fungi, indicating that the pathway is conserved among organisms. The pathway consists mainly of complex Ca(2+) channel proteins, calcium pumps, Ca(2+) transporters and many related proteins. Crz1, a transcription factor downstream of the calcium signaling pathway, participates in regulating cell survival, ion homeostasis, infection structure development, cell wall integrity and virulence. This review briefly summarizes the Ca(2+) mediated calcium signaling pathway and regulatory roles in plant pathogenic fungi. Based on discussing the structure and localization of transcription factor Crz1, we focus on the regulatory role of Crz1 on growth and development, stress response, pathogenicity of pathogenic fungi and its regulatory mechanisms. Furthermore, we explore the cross-talk between Crz1 and other signaling pathways. Combined with the important role and pathogenic mechanism of Crz1 in fungi, the new strategies in which Crz1 may be used as a target to explore disease control in practice are also discussed.