Provided herein are variant uridine-5-diphosphate glycosyltransferase polypeptides capable of producing steviol glycosides, yeast cells capable of producing steviol glycosides, and methods of making such cells. Also provided are fermentation compositions including the disclosed host cells, and related methods of producing and recovering steviol glycosides generated by the yeast cells.

Provided herein are genetically modified host cells, compositions, and methods for improved production of steviol glycosides. The host cells are genetically modified to contain a heterologous nucleic acid that expresses novel and optimized variants of UGT76G1. The host cell further contains one or more heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding further enzymes of a pathway capable of producing one or more steviol glycosides in the host cell. The host cells, compositions, and methods described herein provide an efficient route for the heterologous production of rebaudioside M.

Provided herein are genetically modified host cells, compositions, and methods for improved production of steviol glycosides. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleic acid expression cassette that expresses an ABC-transporter capable of transporting steviol glycosides to the extracellular space or to the luminal space of an intracellular organelle. In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises one or more heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding further enzymes of a pathway capable of producing one or more steviol glycosides in the host cell. The host cells, compositions, and methods described herein provide an efficient route for the heterologous production of steviol glycosides, including but not limited to, rebaudioside D and rebaudioside M.