METHOD FOR PRODUCING PENTACYCLIC TRITERPENE COMPOUND HAVING HYDROXYMETHYL GROUP OR CARBOXYL GROUP AT 28-POSITION

摘要

A method for enzymatically converting a methyl group at the 28-position of a pentacyclic triterpene compound of, for example, the oleanane- ursane- or lupane-type into a hydroxymethyl group or a carboxyl group, either in a cell-free system or using cells or a plant, in the presence of a protein, which has an enzymatic activity of converting a methyl group at the 28-position of an exogenous pentacyclic triterpene into a hydroxymethyl group or a carboxyl group, or under the expression of DNA encoding said protein; and a method for producing a pentacyclic triterpene compound having a hydroxymethyl group or a carboxyl group at the 28-position with the use of the aforesaid method.