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 D
3 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 D
3 has been substantially increased. In addition, we have succeeded in significant improvement of cellular permeability of vitamin D
3 by using nisin-treated cells, and have developed a new platform for vitamin D
3 hydroxylation process.
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