Insights to fungal biology through LaeA sleuthing

•LaeA is a global regulator of fungal secondary metabolism.•LaeA is a member of the conserved Velvet Complex.•LaeA serves as a virulence factor in several filamentous fungi.•LaeA sleuthing identifies key players in fungal biology.

LaeA was first identified as a novel Aspergillus nuclear protein which functions as a global regulator of secondary metabolism, morphogenetic development, and antibiotic production in various filamentous fungi. Since then, it has been studied extensively by research groups around the world in order to identify virulence factors, transcription factors and/or cryptic secondary metabolite gene clusters regulated by LaeA. The coupling of LaeA with VeA and VelB as a nuclear complex, the “Velvet Complex”, has greatly impacted our understanding of transcriptional complexes in filamentous fungi and their association with epigenetic processes. This review will highlight insights into fungal biology by LaeA-led studies and areas of research that need further investigation.