Terpene hydroxylation

• Publication number:
  WO2006065126
• Description:
  The invention relates to a novel cytochrome P450 monooxygenase enzyme, the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences thereof, functional variants and fragments of those sequences, as well as nucleic acid vectors and recombinant host cells and organisms producing at least one functional enzyme according to the invention. Further provided are in vitro and in vivo methods for hydroxylating terpene substrates, especially monoterpene substrates and/or aromatic hydrocarbons, using one or more enzymes according to the invention. Such methods include the use of the enzyme(s) in the production of perillyl alcohol for cancer prophylaxis and therapy, the in vitro or in vivo production of hydroxylated terpenes such as for example myrtenol and/or myrtenol derivatives, gene therapy methods and transgenic plants, plant tissues, cells and organs with modified flavor/fragrance properties and/or enhanced pest/pathogen resistance and/or anti-carcinogenic properties. Nutritional- (food or food supplements, including functional foods or nutraceuticals), cosmetic- (e.g. creams, perfumes, etc.), pest attracting- (e.g. beetle attractants) or repelling-, antipathogenic- or pharmaceutical- compositions comprising suitable amounts of one or more hydroxylated terpenes or terpene analogues (or derivatives), obtainable by contacting a suitable terpene substrate with a functional enzyme according to the invention, are also provided. The invention, thus, covers various uses of the nucleic acids and proteins according to the invention, which range from the field of biotechnology to medical applications.
• Inventors:
  Aharoni, Asahi (IL); Jongsma, Maarten Anthonie (NL); Bouwmeester, Hendrik Jan (NL)
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