FREMGANGSMAADE TIL MULTIPEL OXIDATION AF STEROIDER OG GENTEKNOLOGISK BEHANDLEDE CELLER TIL ANVENDELSE VED FREMGANGSMAADEN

摘要

Genetically engineered host cells are provided which are able to carry out simultaneously oxidations of steroids, preferably the simultaneous introduction of the 17 alpha -hydroxyl and the C21-hydroxyl group. In particular the oxidation is carried out with cells into which DNA has been introduced which encodes for at least two proteins 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 biochemical oxidations of cholesterol, pregnenolone, progesterone and 17 alpha -hydroxy-progesterone, which are intermediates in said biological pathway. The host cells are also useful for the ultimate preparation of a multigenic system for the one-step conversion of cholesterol into hydrocortisone.