Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for expressing a recombinant gene in eukaryotic cells, especially fungi, preferably yeast. The invention provides transcriptional regulating elements having a novel nucleotide sequence which are capable of trancriptionally regulating the expression of a cis joined gene, typically in response to the availability of certain nutrients to the host cell. Preferred regulatory elements are responsive to nutrient depletion, particulary glucose, ethanol, phosphate or a nitrogen source. Nucleic acid constructs comprising such regulatory elements operably linked to recombinant genes, cells comprising such regulatory elements, and methods of producing recombinant protein in such cells are also provided. The invention discloses regulatory elements which are induced through the ras gene product. Accordingly, the disclosed expression systems also provide a convenient marker for ras gene function.