Polypeptide and yeast cell compositions and methods of using the same

Abstract

Polypeptides comprising maltose/maltotriose transporters are provided. Additionally, polynucleotides, DNA constructs, and vectors encoding a maltose/maltotriose transporter, or yeast cells harboring such polynucleotides are provided. The yeast cell may be a Saccharomyces eubayanus cell modified to increase the expression or transport activity of a maltose/maltotriose transporter at the plasma membrane of the cell. Further, methods are provided for making a fermentation product by culturing any one of the yeast cells described herein with a fermentable substrate. Finally, methods are provided to select for and isolate maltotriose-utilizing strains of Saccharomyces eubayanus.