Compositions, methods, and systems for modifying sterol metabolism in a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subjects may be administered one or more mammalian cells modified to express at least one sterol degrading enzyme derived from a bacterium. In many embodiments, the cell is a macrophage or monocyte stably expressing three or more enzymes that aid in opening the β ring of cholesterol. The disclosed compositions and methods may be useful in lowering cholesterol levels in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject may have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.

The present invention relates to derivatives of the sesquiterpene lactone micheliolide, methods and compositions for their preparation, and methods for using the micheliolide derivatives in pharmaceutical compositions as anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents. The invention also relates to methods for producing micheliolide derivatives modified at positions C2 and C14. The invention also relates to methods for producing parthenolide derivatives modified at positions C2 and C14 in conjunction with modifications at position C13, via chemoenzymatic methods. The invention further relates to methods for using parthenolide derivatives for treating cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Compositions, methods, and systems for modifying sterol metabolism in a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subjects may be administered one or more mammalian cells modified to express at least one sterol degrading enzyme derived from a bacterium. In many embodiments, the cell is a macrophage or monocyte stably expressing three or more enzymes that aid in opening the β ring of cholesterol. The disclosed compositions and methods may be useful in lowering cholesterol levels in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject may have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.

Described herein are the nucleic acid and the amino acid sequences of a cytochrome P450 capable of oxidizing terpene molecules. Also described herein are methods of oxidizing terpene molecules including contacting the cytochrome P450 with the terpene molecule intended to be oxidized. In particular, the method may be carried out in vitro or in vivo to produce oxidized terpene molecules, which may be used in different technical fields such as for example perfumery and flavoring. Also described herein is an expression vector containing the nucleic acid. A non-human host organism or a cell transformed with the nucleic acid is also an object of the disclosure.

Disclosed herein are compositions, constructs, cassettes, vectors, cells, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods for reducing cholesterol and lipid buildup in mammalian subjects, via gene and/or cell therapeutic treatments. In many embodiments, the disclosed compositions, cells, constructs, cassettes, vectors, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods may help to reduce lipid levels in mammals. In one embodiment, the disclosed compositions, cells, constructs, cassettes, vectors, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods are useful in reducing lipid build-up, especially cholesterol, in liver cells.

The present invention relates to novel process for the production of ketoisophorone via biocatalytic conversion of isophorone, in particular a one-pot biocatalytic system for conversion of α-isophorone in a two-step oxidation process, with a first oxidation being catalyzed by a heme containing oxidoreductase such as a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase followed by another oxidation which can be either a chemical reaction or a biocatalytic reaction, in particular wherein the oxidation is catalyzed by an NAD(P) or NADP(H)-dependent oxidoreductase. The invention further provides polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences coding for cytochrome P450 monooxygenase with modified (higher) substrate selectivity, total turnover numbers and/or (re)activity compared to the wild-type enzyme. Ketoisophorone is useful as building block in the synthesis of vitamins and carotenoids.

The present invention relates to derivatives of the sesquiterpene lactone micheliolide, methods and compositions for their preparation, and methods for using the micheliolide derivatives in pharmaceutical compositions as anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents. The invention also relates to methods for producing micheliolide derivatives modified at positions C2 and C14. The invention also relates to methods for producing parthenolide derivatives modified at positions C2 and C14 in conjunction with modifications at position C13, via chemoenzymatic methods. The invention further relates to methods for using parthenolide derivatives for treating cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Compositions, methods, and systems for modifying sterol metabolism in a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subjects may be administered one or more mammalian cells modified to express at least one sterol degrading enzyme derived from a bacterium. In many embodiments, the cell is a macrophage or monocyte stably expressing three or more enzymes that aid in opening the ring of cholesterol. The disclosed compositions and methods may be useful in lowering cholesterol levels in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject may have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.

Disclosed herein are compositions, methods, and systems for enhancing cholesterol degradation in a cell, tissue, or organism. In many embodiments, the disclosure describes the use of one or more proteins, or sequences coding therefor, to enhance flow of cholesterol into the mitochondrion, where the cholesterol is degraded by one or more proteins comprising bacteria-related sequences. The compositions, methods, and systems disclosed herein are useful in the prevention or treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with high levels of cholesterol in the blood or cells of a patient.

Hybrid proteins with cytochrome P450 activity and which are encapsulated in a nanocapsid (nanoparticles charged with cytochrome P450 activity) are designed and synthesized, these hybrid proteins being immunologically inert and recognized by breast cancer cells.