Efficient production of active form of vitamin D3 by microbial conversion

Abstract

Conversion processes of organic compounds using biocatalyst generally have high regio- and stereo-selectivity, and are becoming increasingly important for efficient production of chemicals. In addition, biocatalysis is less hazardous, less polluting and less energy-consuming than the conventional chemical method. We report the highly efficient bioconversion system using actinomycete Rhodococcus erythropolis to produce active form of vitamin D3 currently used as a pharmaceutical. The improvement of performance of the enzyme used for the bioconversion has been achieved by the combination of evolutionary engineering and structure-based methods. Accordingly, the practical production efficiency of active form of vitamin D3 has been substantially increased. In addition, we have succeeded in significant improvement of cellular permeability of vitamin D3 by using nisin-treated cells, and have developed a new platform for vitamin D3 hydroxylation process.