A Histone Deacetylase, Magnaporthe oryzae RPD3, Regulates Reproduction and Pathogenic Development in the Rice Blast Fungus

Abstract

RPD3 is an evolutionarily conserved class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) that plays a pivotal role in diverse cellular processes. In filamentous fungal pathogens, abrogation of the gene encoding RPD3 results in either lethality or severe growth impairment, making subsequent genetic analyses challenging. Magnaporthe oryzae is a causal agent of rice blast disease, which is responsible for significant annual yield losses in rice production.