Upregulation of galactose metabolic pathway by N-acetylglucosamine induced endogenous synthesis of galactose in Candida albicans

► We examined the GlcNAc induced upregulation of galactose metabolic pathway genes. ► Intact UDP galactose epimerase is prerequisite for upregulation of GAL genes. ► GlcNAc metabolic pathway plays an important role in upregulation of GAL genes. ► GCMS analysis showed intracellular accumulation of galactose in presence of GlcNAc. ► NMR spectroscopy confirmed the flow of 13C label from GlcNAc to galactose.