Process for the biochemical oxidation of steroids and genetically engineered cells to be used therefor.

摘要

Genetically engineered host cells containing new expression cassettes are provided which are able to carry out biochemical oxidations of steroids. In particular the oxidation is carried out with cells into which DNA has been introduced which encodes protein involved in the biological pathway of cholesterol to hydrocortisone. Suited host cells comprise species of Bacillus, Saccharomyces or Kluyveromyces. The new host cells are suited for microbiological oxidations of cholesterol, pregnenolone, progesterone, 17 alpha -hydroxyprogesterone, and cortexolone, which are intermediates in said biological pathway. The new expression cassettes are also useful in the ultimate production of a multigenic system for a one-step conversion of cholesterol into hydrocortisone.