5-Hydroxymethylfurfural induces ADH7 and ARI1 expression in tolerant industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain P6H9 during bioethanol production

► Evolutionary engineering was used to select industrial S. cerevisiae tolerant to HMF. ► Expression levels of genes involved with HMF tolerance were studied. ► ARI1 and ADH7 genes were overexpressed in the presence of HMF. ► P6H9 showed higher ethanol productivities in HMF than sensitive strains. ► S. cerevisiae P6H9 has potential to be used for second-generation ethanol production.