Biotransformation of taxol

Bioconversion of taxol/cephalomannine by Streptomyces sp. MA 7065 resulted in hydroxylation on the 10-acetyl ethyl group in 60% yield and on the benze ne ring at the para position of the phenylisoserine side chain in 10% yield . This culture could also hydroxylate the allylic methyl group of the pheny lisoserine side chain of cephalomannine quantitatively. All three metabolit es were cytotoxic toward human lung, breast and colon tumor cell lines. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.