The transcription factor STE12 influences growth on several carbon sources and production of dehydroacetic acid (DHAA) in Trichoderma reesei

The filamentous ascomycete Trichoderma reesei, known for its prolific cellulolytic enzyme production, recently also gained attention for its secondary metabolite synthesis. Both processes are intricately influenced by environmental factors like carbon source availability and light exposure. Here, we explore the role of the transcription factor STE12 in regulating metabolic pathways in T. reesei in terms of gene regulation, carbon source utilization and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. We show that STE12 is involved in regulating cellulase gene expression and growth on carbon sources associated with iron homeostasis. STE12 impacts gene regulation in a light dependent manner on cellulose with modulation of several CAZyme encoding genes as well as genes involved in secondary metabolism. STE12 selectively influences the biosynthesis of the sorbicillinoid trichodimerol, while not affecting the biosynthesis of bisorbibutenolide, which was recently shown to be regulated by the MAPkinase pathway upstream of STE12 in the signaling cascade. We further report on the biosynthesis of dehydroacetic acid (DHAA) in T. reesei, a compound known for its antimicrobial properties, which is subject to regulation by STE12. We conclude, that STE12 exerts functions beyond development and hence contributes to balance the energy distribution between substrate consumption, reproduction and defense.