Transcription factor that regulates the gene cluster that mediates the biosynthesis of 5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-1,4-pyrone, also know as kojic acid, a by-product in the fermentation process of malting rice that acts as a chelation agent (PubMed:21897021). Expression is positively regulated by the secondary metabolism general regulator laeA (PubMed:21897021). Impairs the transcription of kojA and kojT, and blocks the production of kojic acis (PubMed:21514215). Kojic acid can be used for several biotechnological applications, including use as an antibiotic, as an additive to prevent browning of food materials, and as an antioxidant (PubMed:17119644). Kojic acid is also interesting as an inhibitor of tyrosinase (PubMed:7714722). Finally, kojic acid has also been shown to have strong nematicidal activity (PubMed:27197670).