Isolation, purification and cloning of retinol dehydratase

摘要

The present invention relates to retinol dehydratase, the enzyme which synthesizes the retro-retinoid anhydroretinol in the Spodoptera frugiperda insect cell line Sf-21, as well as the DNA molecule encoding that enzyme. The DNA molecule can be incorporated in a DNA expression system and a host for recombinant production of anhydroretinol dehydratase. The isolated retinol dehydratase protein or polypeptide of the present invention can be combined with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or used alone for administration to mammals, particularly humans, for preventing cell growth and/or uncontrolled cell growth in cells which are growth dependent on retinol and/or 14 hydroxy-4, 14-retro-retinol.