Provided is an engineered pathway that can function in a cell-free system, cellular system or a combination thereof to convert a sugar to a chemical or biofuel.

Disclosed are nucleotide sequences and corresponding amino acid sequences of Arxula adeninivorans genes that can be utilized to manipulate the lipid content and/or composition of a cell. Methods and compositions for utilizing this information are disclosed to increase the lipid content or modify the lipid composition of a cell by either increasing or decreasing the activity of certain genetic targets.