These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Construction of an artificial system for ambrein biosynthesis and investigation of some biological activities of ambrein.
    Author: Yamabe Y, Kawagoe Y, Okuno K, Inoue M, Chikaoka K, Ueda D, Tajima Y, Yamada TK, Kakihara Y, Hara T, Sato T.
    Journal: Sci Rep; 2020 Nov 12; 10(1):19643. PubMed ID: 33184314.
    Abstract:
    Ambergris, a sperm whale metabolite, has long been used as a fragrance and traditional medication, but it is now rarely available. The odor components of ambergris result from the photooxidative degradation of the major component, ambrein. The pharmacological activities of ambergris have also been attributed to ambrein. However, efficient production of ambrein and odor compounds has not been achieved. Here, we constructed a system for the synthesis of ambrein and odor components. First, we created a new triterpene synthase, "ambrein synthase," for mass production of ambrein by redesigning a bacterial enzyme. The ambrein yields were approximately 20 times greater than those reported previously. Next, an efficient photooxidative conversion system from ambrein to a range of volatiles of ambergris was established. The yield of volatiles was 8-15%. Finally, two biological activities, promotion of osteoclast differentiation and prevention of amyloid β-induced apoptosis, were discovered using the synthesized ambrein.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]