AreA controls nitrogen source utilisation during both growth programs of the dimorphic fungus Penicillium marneffei

► AreA orthologues regulate nitrogen source utilisation in fungi. ► Penicillium marneffei is dimorphic pathogen. ► Growth of P. marneffei on nonpreferred nitrogen sources requires AreA. ► AreA contributes differently to the saprophytic hyphal and pathogenic yeast forms. ► AreA may regulate virulence traits of P. marneffei such as extracellular proteases.