Systems and methods for enhancing gene expression

A genetically modified fungal host cell, comprising:

• (a) a first polynucleotide encoding a fungal transcription factor operably linked to a first promoter that is native to the transcription factor, (b) a second polynucleotide encoding a first biosynthetic enzyme operably linked to a second promoter that is induced or activated by the transcription factor, wherein the first biosynthetic enzyme catalyzes a first reaction which produces a first compound from a second compound, and (c) a third polynucleotide encoding an expression cassette inserted between a polynucleotide encoding a second biosynthetic enzyme and a native promoter of the second biosynthetic enzyme, wherein the expression cassette comprises a polynucleotide encoding the fungal transcription factor, a third promoter that is induced at a level lower than the induction of the first promoter and the second promoter, and a terminator located between the polynucleotide encoding the fungal transcription factor and the third promoter;
• such that the native promoter of the second biosynthetic enzyme is operatively linked to the polynucleotide encoding the fungal transcription factor, and the third promoter is operatively linked to the polynucleotide encoding the second biosynthetic enzyme;
• wherein the transcription factor is Upc2, Ecm22, Upc2G888D, or Ecm22G790D and the second biosynthetic enzyme catalyzes a second reaction that is downstream of the first reaction in a metabolic pathway.