Biotransformation of taxol

Abstract

Bioconversion of taxol/cephalomannine by Streptomyces sp. MA 7065 resulted in hydroxylation on the 10-acetyl methyl group in 60% yield and on the benzene ring at the para position of the phenylisoserine side chain in 10% yield. This culture could also hydroxylate the allylic methyl group of the phenylisoserine side chain of cephalomannine quantitatively. All three metabolites were cytotoxic toward human lung, breast and colon tumor cell lines.