Methods for tuning carotenoid production levels and compositions in rhodosporidium and rhodotorula genera

A method for tuning the production level and composition of carotenoids in a fungal host comprising:

• (a) genetically manipulating one or more polynucleotides in carotenoid biosynthesis in a fungal host, wherein the one or more polynucleotides are selected from (i) the polynucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19 and 20 or a homologous sequence sharing at least 75% identity thereto or (ii) one or more polynucleotides encoding one or more polypeptides set forth in SEQ ID NOs:2, 4, 6, 12, 15, 18 and 21 or a homologous sequence sharing at least 75% identity thereto, and wherein the fungal host is Rhodospordium or Rhodotorula, and
• (b) growing the fungal host to produce carotenoids, wherein the carotenoids are selected from the group consisting of lycopene, beta-carotene, gamma-carotene, torulene and torularhodin or derivatives thereof,
• whereby the production level or composition of the carotenoids is tuned.