Abstract: This invention relates to an novel Gluconobacter oxydans 2-ketoreductase useful for the synthesis of chiral alcohols. Also related are isolated nucleic acids encoding G. oxydans 2-ketoreductase enzymes, and enzyme fragments and variants thereof, as well as vectors and host cells comprising these nucleic acids. Further related are isolated G. oxydans 2-ketoreductase polypeptides, and fragments and variants thereof, and antibodies that specifically bind to G. oxydans 2-ketoreductase polypeptides, fragments, or variants. The invention also relates to methods of obtaining isolated G. oxydans 2-ketoreductase nucleic acids, polypeptides, and antibodies, and methods of using G. oxydans 2-ketoreductase in various reactions for industrial or pharmaceutical applications.

Abstract: A method for the production of taxanes such as taxol. The method includes inducing formation of callus cells by contacting an explant tissue with a liquid medium without complete submergence of the tissue in the medium. The callus cells formed are employed in a liquid suspension cell culture to produce one or more taxanes.

Abstract: An enzymatic hydroxylation process for the preparation of compounds useful as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and/or as intermediates in the preparation of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors uses a microorganism or an enzyme derived from, or having the structure of an enzyme derived from, said microorganism, which is capable of catalyzing the hydroxylation process.