The present invention relates to a coupled biotransformation process of converting chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and related compounds to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and related compounds. It also relates to the cloning, expression, and biochemical characterization of a novel NADP.sup.+-dependent 7α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7α-HSDH) from Clostridium difficile, cofactor switch mutants thereof, and their application for the oxidation of bile acids. A further aspect of the invention relates to novel NADP-dependent cofactor switch mutants of the NADP.sup.+-dependent 7α-HSDH of E. coli and their application for the oxidation of bile acids.

The present invention relates to a coupled biotransformation process of converting chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and related compounds to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and related compounds. It also relates to the cloning, expression, and biochemical characterization of a novel NADP.sup.+-dependent 7α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7α-HSDH) from Clostridium difficile, cofactor switch mutants thereof, and their application for the oxidation of bile acids. A further aspect of the invention relates to novel NADP-dependent cofactor switch mutants of the NADP.sup.+-dependent 7α-HSDH of E. coli and their application for the oxidation of bile acids.

Described in this application are UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGT) enzymes, host cells expressing the UGTs, and methods of producing mogrol precursors, mogrol, and/or mogrosides using such host cells.

Described in this application are UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGT) enzymes, host cells expressing the UGTs, and methods of producing mogrol precursors, mogrol, and/or mogrosides using such host cells.

The invention relates to novel 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mutants, to the sequences which code for these enzyme mutants, to processes for the preparation of the enzyme mutants and to their use in enzymatic conversions of cholic acid compounds, in particular in the preparation of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA); subject-matter of the invention is also novel processes for the synthesis of UDCA using enzyme mutants; and the preparation of UDCA using recombinant, multiply modified microorganisms.

The invention relates to novel 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mutants, to the sequences which code for these enzyme mutants, to processes for the preparation of the enzyme mutants and to their use in enzymatic conversions of cholic acid compounds, in particular in the preparation of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA); subject-matter of the invention is also novel processes for the synthesis of UDCA using enzyme mutants; and the preparation of UDCA using recombinant, multiply modified microorganisms.

The invention relates to novel 7β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mutants, to the sequences which code for these enzyme mutants, to processes for the preparation of the enzyme mutants and to their use in enzymatic conversions of cholic acid compounds, in particular in the preparation of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA); subject-matter of the invention is also novel processes for the synthesis of UDCA using enzyme mutants; and the preparation of UDCA using recombinant, multiply modified microorganisms.

The invention relates to novel 7β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mutants, to the sequences which code for these enzyme mutants, to processes for the preparation of the enzyme mutants and to their use in enzymatic conversions of cholic acid compounds, in particular in the preparation of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA); subject-matter of the invention is also novel processes for the synthesis of UDCA using enzyme mutants; and the preparation of UDCA using recombinant, multiply modified microorganisms.

It is intended to provide a novel terpenoid derivative that exhibits anti-inflammatory action and a cytoprotective action by activating the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. The present invention provides terpenoid derivative A represented by the following formula (I): ##STR00001##

It is intended to provide a novel terpenoid derivative that exhibits anti-inflammatory action and a cytoprotective action by activating the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. The present invention provides terpenoid derivative A represented by the following formula (I): ##STR00001##