Transcriptome analysis reveals the mechanism underlying improved glutathione biosynthesis and secretion in Candida utilis during selenium enrichment.

•Sodium selenite inhibited cell growth and decreased biomass of C. utilis.•Glutathione biosynthesis and secretion improved during selenium enrichment.•Metabolic flux analysis showed increases in precursors for glutathione biosynthesis.•Transcriptome analysis of C. utilis was carried out by RNA-seq.•MET5 gene encoding sulfite reductase was significantly up-regulated by selenite.