Method for biocatalytic whole cell reduction of dehydrocholic acid compounds, and 7-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mutants

US10544441B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• PHARMAZELL GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Dirk Weuster-Botz · Munich, DE
• Boqiao Sun · Munich, DE
• Christian Quirin · Raubling, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 24, 2015
• Grant date: Jan 28, 2020
• Expiry date: Feb 9, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Y101/01201
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to novel biocatalytic processes comprising the whole cell reduction of dehydrocholic acid (DHCA) compounds, novel 7β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase mutants, the sequences coding for these enzyme mutants, methods for producing the enzyme mutants and use thereof in enzymatic conversions of cholic acid compounds, and in particular in the production of ursodesoxycholic acid (UDCA); also a subject of the invention are novel methods for the synthesis of UDCA using the enzyme mutants; and in particular a further improved method for producing UDCA using recombinant whole cell biocatalysts.