Construction of an efficient amylolytic industrial yeast strain containingDNA exclusively derived from yeast

An amylolytic industrial yeast strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae containin g the Schwanniomyces occidentalis SWA2 amylase gene was generated. The new strain contains DNA derived exclusively from yeast and expresses a high sta rch hydrolyzing activity. Yeast transformation was carried out by an integr ative process targeted to a dispensable upstream region of the ILV2 locus, which determines sulfometuron resistance. The SWA2 enzyme was constitutivel y expressed under the ADH1 promoter. The growth, substrate utilization and fermentative capacity of this organism are described. (C) 2001 Federation o f European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. Al l rights reserved.