Acetate supercharges xylose metabolism in Rhodotorula toruloides

To confirm the transcriptional mechanism of xylose gene activation in Rhodotorula toruloides is principally determined by acetate and not other factors, like nitrogen content. RNA-Seq was conducted to understand xylose pathway metabolism. Ultimately, we used new-found understanding in RNA-Seq to engineer R. toruloides better. Overall design: Nitrogen = {0.1 ammonium sulfate and 0.375 g/L yeast extract, 5 g/L ammonium sulfate}, acetate = {0 g/L, 2 g/L}, time = {48 hr, 64 hr, 88 hr}