EP1015600A1

EP1015600A1 - Statin production by fermentation

Info

Publication number: EP1015600A1
Application number: EP98945280A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Adriaantje Ykema; Hugo Streekstra; Rudolf Gijsbertus Marie Luiten
Original assignee: DSM NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke DSM NV
Priority date: 1997-08-22
Filing date: 1998-08-24
Publication date: 2000-07-05
Also published as: AU9264598A; WO1999010499A1

Abstract

A one-step biosynthesis process of pravastatin is disclosed. Fungal host cells that can produce compactin are transformed with a polynucleotide that encodes a foreign hydroxylase enzyme which is capable of converting the compactin into pravastatin. This can be cheaper and more efficient than previous two-stage fermentation processes (firstly a fungus to produce compactin, and then bacteria to hydroxylate the compactin to pravastatin).

Description

STATIN PRODUCTION BY FERMENTATION

The present invention relates to fungal cells that comprise a foreign polynucleotide that includes a hydroxylase enzyme. The invention also relates to the production, by such cells, of hydroxy-containing compound (s) , that may be useful for reducing cholesterol levels, by culturing these cells . The "statins" are a family of compounds that are usually inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyryl coenzyme A(HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. As HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, the statins are able to reduce plasma cholesterol levels in various mammalian species, including man, and are therefore effective in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

Of all the statins known today, only two are producable by fermentation de novo . These are lovastatin

(also called mevinolin, monacolin-K or mevacor) and compactin (also known as mevastatin, or ML-236B) . All the other statins are produced by chemically or enzymatically derivatising lovastatin or compactin. One of these is pravastatin (also referred to as CS-514 in the art) , which has found favour recently as it is a more potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor than lovastatin or compactin¹.

In order to produce pravastatin a two-step process is required². Both steps involve separate fermentations as illused in the scheme below.

Streptomyces carbophilus

Pravastatin

Figure 1. Pravastatin production by two fermentations

In the first step compactin is produced by a fungus, such as P . ci trinum . After the lactone ring has been opened

(by using sodium hydroxide) a second fermentation step takes place, converting the acid form of compactin into pravastatin by hydroxylation at the 6 -position by a hydroxylase enzyme present in the bacterium S. carbophilus . This two-step

fermentation process is required for a number of hydroxy- containing compounds that are related to statins or have a similar structure.

Clearly, one disadvantage with this process is that two different fermentation methods need to be employed in order to make pravastatin (or other similar hydroxy- containing statin-like compounds) . This reduces yields, and increases costs. One factor that has, until now, hindered progress towards a more efficient biosynthesis is the fact that compactin has mild anti- fungal properties which means that in the second hydroxylating stage manufacturers of pravastatin have used bacteria, such as of the genus Streptomyces . Indeed, many fungi have a low tolerance of

compactin and therefore, today, the conversion of compactin to pravastatin is preferably effected using bacteria³.

The present invention seeks to solve, or at least mitigate, some of the problems encountered in prior art processes, and seeks to provide a more efficient process for preparing various hydroxy-containing statins, in particular pravastatin. Certainly, it would be desirable to be able to produce a hydroxy-containing statin by a more efficient metho .

Thus according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for the biosynthesis of compound of the general formula :

wherein : each of R¹ and R- independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy, Cι_₁₀ alkyl, C^o alkoxy, C₃_₁₀ cycloalkyl or C₆_₁₀ aryl group or a C₇-u aralkyl group optionally containing one or more hetero atoms ,-

R³ represents R^xC0- or R fOlO-; each of R⁴ and R^D independently represent a hydrogen atom, -COOR¹ (except that then R¹ is not a hydroxy or alkoxy group) , -OR¹ or -COR¹ or, when combined complete a six-membered carbon ring having one or two oxygen heteroatoms ; wherein each of the alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, aryl and/or aralkyl groups can be optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy or C^ alkoxy groups; and w, x, y and z represent none, 1 or when taken together up to 2 double bonds ; or a salt and/or isomer thereof; the process comprising culturing a fungal host cell that expresses a foreign hydroxylase enzyme under conditions that allow biosynthesis to take place.

The alkyl and alkoxy groups (either alone or as part of a larger group) can be either straight or branched. Alkyl groups are preferably Cj_₄ alkyl groups, for example methyl or ethyl. Alkoxy groups are preferably methoxy or ethoxy groups .

Preferred cycloalkyl groups are pentyl or hexyl groups . Suitable aryl groups include phenyl or naphthyl .

Preferably R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. Preferably R² represents a hydroxy group. R preferably represents -OC(0)R¹, where R¹ is a C^_K, alkyl group, for example a C^ alkyl group. In preferred compounds R^J represents a 2 -methyl butyrate group (-OC(0)CH(CH₃)C₂H₅) .

R⁴ preferably represents a hydroxy group and/or R⁵ preferably represents -COOH. When R⁴ and R⁵ are not combined the compound of formula (I) is in the acid form: this can be converted to the lactone form by ring closure, so that R^~ and R^D when combined together can form a 6-membered ring (of carbon atoms) containing one or two oxygen heteroatoms . Here R⁴ and R⁵ combined preferably represent -C(0)0-.

It is preferred that two double bonds are present: in this situation, generally double bonds will be in the locations w and y or x and z .

Compounds of general formula (II) in this specification are compounds of formula (I) except where the hydroxy (HO) group at the 6-position is replaced by a hydrogen atom (H) . It will therefore be apparent that compounds of formula (II) are precursors to those of formula (I), the conversion (from II to I) being effected by hydroxylation performed by the hydroxylase enzyme. Compounds of formula (II) therefore include compactin, which on hydroxylation form compounds of formula (I) , which in the case of compactin will give pravastatin.

For assistance, one of the preferred compounds of formula (II) is detailed in the following Table, illustrating the appropriate substituents . TABLE 1

Compactin, of formula (I) , is the same as pravastatin as shown in Table 1 above but does not possess the hydroxy (HO-) group at the 6 -position. The various isomers of compounds of formula (I) are included within the invention. This of course includes stereoisomers . Compounds of formula (I), or (II), preferably have the stereoisomerism of pravastatin or compactin, as appropriate. Salts include acidic and/or basic salts formed with inorganic and/or organic bases. Non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salts are preferred. These include ammonium salts, as well as alkali metals (e.g. sodium, potassium and lithium) or alkaline earth metal salts (calcium and/or magnesium) .

Preferred compounds of formula (I) are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors . Preferably they are hydroxylated derivatives of compounds of formula (II) . Suitable compounds of formula (II) are polyketides. Polyketides are compounds that are biosynthesised internally by microorganisms, usually de novo, using low molecular weight precursors, for example

acetyl moieties⁵. The acetyl moieties in turn can be obtained by the fungus from carbon sources such as starch, glucose, glycerol, etc. It will be realised that the biosynthesis of compounds of formula (I) can be in the invention a one-step process, as opposed to a two-step process in the prior art. This is because the host cell employed is not only able to produce compounds of formula (II) , but it is also capable of converting, by hydroxylation, the compound of formula (II) to the compound of formula (I) . Both these processes may take place inside the cell and the latter can be achieved by the foreign hydroxylase enzyme. In this manner, the process of the invention can be significantly cheaper and more efficient than the 2-step processes used in the prior art.

The fungal host cell can preferably biosynthesise the compound of formula (I) de novo, that is to say from

relatively small molecules: certainly, the fungal host cell does not need to be fed or supplied with a compound of formula (II) , in order to be able to biosynthesise compounds of formula (I) , as it will usually be able to biosynthesise compounds of formula (II) itself.

The hydroxylase enzyme is "foreign" to the cell in the sense that it is heterologous to that cell. In other words, the cell would not normally express that hydroxylase enzyme. Thus the naturally occurring or wild-type version of the fungal host cell will not express that hydroxylase enzyme (or at least not to a significant extent) . Preferably, that fungal host cell will not normally, such as in its native state, express such a hydroxylase enzyme at all, although preferably it will not express a hydroxylase enzyme that is capable of hydroxylating compounds of formula (II) to form compounds of formula (I) . Nevertheless the fungal host cell is preferably capable of biosynthesising a compound of formula (II), and by expression of the foreign hydroxylase enzyme can convert that compound into a compound of formula (I) • The fungal host cell can be any suitable fungus .

However, preferably the fungus is of the genus Paecilomyces

Eupenicillium, Trichoderma , Hypomyces , Penicillium, Monascus

or Aspergillus .

Preferred fungi are of the species Penicillium

ci trinum or Penicillium hrevicompac turn . Other suitable strains that can produce compactin are additionally contemplated⁴. The most preferred fungus is Penicillium

ci trinum SANK 18767 that has been deposited under accession

nos . ATCC 38065 and NRRL-8082 or one of their descendants, which may have been improved for compactin production (e.g. through classical strain improvement or recombinant techniques) .

The fungal host cell can be cultured in any suitable culture medium, and under conditions known to a person skilled in the art, that will allow the biosynthesis of compounds of formula (I) . As the cell will usually be able to biosynthesise compounds of formula (II) , such compounds are absent from this medium. Preferably, culture takes place under aerobic conditions, suitably in a culture medium that provides the fungus with all the ingredients it needs to biosynthesise compounds of formula (I) . A culture (e.g. liquid growth) medium that includes malt extract, glucose, peptone is usually sufficient. Agar can be used if the medium is solid. As a guide a culture medium containing 2% malt extract, 2% glucose, 1% peptone (and 2% agar if solid) may be used.

The culture medium can contain any and all of the known nutrient materials for the fungus in order to allow biosynthesis to take place. For instance, an assimilable carbon source and nitrogen source are preferably present . For a carbon source, one can include glucose, glycerol, maltose, dextrin, dextrose, starch, lactose, sucrose, molasses, soybean oil, cotton seed oil etc. Glucose, dextrose and glycerol are preferred.

As a nitrogen source, one can mention soybean meal, peanut meal, cotton seed meal, fish meal, corn steep liquor, peptone, rice bran, meat extract, yeast, yeast extract, sodium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, ammonia and ammonium sulphate. Yeast extract is preferred. Certain inorganic salts may additionally be present, for example sodium chloride, phosphate ions, calcium carbonate, iron (II) sulphate as can vitamins and/or amino acids . A minor amount of other metal salts may be added, if necessary.

The carbon and/or nitrogen source can be supplied at the beginning of biosynthesis, for example as in a batch process, or alternatively (and preferably) the carbon and/or nitrogen source is administered continuously and/or continually, as described in International Patent Application No. PCT/EP98/01123 filed on 20 February 1998.

In carrying out fermentation, this may be conducted with aeration and/or agitation.

The temperature of the culture medium is preferably from 20 to 30°C, such as from 24 to 26°C. The fungal host cell can be cultured from 20 to 240 hours, preferably from 48 to 216 hours.

The compound of formula (I) can then be extracted by using a solvent and/or chromatography . Preferably an organic solvent is used, for example ether, benzene, ethanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform, acetone or acetic acid. Preferably the solvent is a combination of ethanol and ethyl acetate, or methanol, and column chromatography is employed. The hydroxylase enzyme can be a naturally occurring enzyme, or can be a synthetic enzyme, for example a mutant or variant of a natural enzyme. Mutants and variants can be prepared either by truncation, or by addition, deletion or substitution of one or more amino acids as is known in the ar .

Preferred hydroxylase enzymes are from the species Amycolata autotrophica such as ATCC 35204, Streptomyces

californi cus such as ATCC 15436, Amycolatopsis medi terranei

such as ATCC 21411, Saccharothrix australensis such as ATCC

31497, Saccharopolyspora hirsuta such as ATCC 27875, 27876

or 20501, Saccharopolyspora erythraea such as ATCC 11635,

Streptomyces carbophilus such as FERM-BP1145 and Streptomyces

flavovirens such as SANK 63684. However this can exclude a

hydroxylase enzyme from Streptomyces clavuligeris .

The enzyme is suitably not capable of converting deacetoxycepholosporin C (DAOC) to diacetyl cephalosporin C (DAC) . The biosynthesis in the process of the first aspect can be accomplished by using host fungal cells which form the second aspect . The second aspect of the invention therefore relates to a fungal host cell comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a foreign hydroxylase enzyme. The host cell is thus suitably able to express the foreign hydroxylase enzyme which can convert compounds of formula (II) (e.g. biosynthesised within the host cell) into compounds of formula (I) . Preferably the host cell will be one that, in the absence of the foreign hydroxylase gene, produces compactin.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a vector comprising a polynucleotide comprising a sequence encoding a hydroxylase enzyme which is operably linked to a fungal expression signal and/or fungal promoter. The vector is thus one that is effective in a fungal host cell. The polynucleotide can therefore be adapted so that, when inside a host fungal cell, it allows the enzyme to be expressed by that cell. The promoter or expression signal (s) can be from any fungus as described for the first aspect. However, it does not necessarily have to be from the same genus or species as the host cell. Preferred promoters are from the genus Aspergillus , such as from the species Aspergillus terreus or Aspergillus nidulans , or from Penicillium, such as from the

species P . chrysogenum or P . citrinum .

The vector can be a plasmid or of bacteriophage origin. It may additionally comprise a terminator region: this may also be from a fungus . Preferably the fungal expression signals (which include promoter and/or terminator) region are from a (e.g. highly or constitutively) expressed gene, such as a glycolytic gene, for example 3-phosphoglycerate kinase ipgk) or glucose-6 -phosphate

dehydrogenase ( gpd) . Preferably the terminator is from the

same species as the promoter. The vector may further contain one or more additional sequences in order to optimise the production of compounds of formula (I) . These sequences may include, for example, a P450 reductase.

The vector will suitably also contain a selective or selectable marker or, if two or more vectors are used (such as in a co-transformation procedure) the marker can be in another vector. This marker may confer resistance to one or more inhibitory substances (e.g. antibiotics) or the ability to utilise certain nutrients. For example, it may confer resistance to hygromycin or phleomycin. Alternatively a marker-free system can be employed¹⁴.

The vector can therefore be used to transform or transfect a fungal cell in order to produce the cell of the second aspect. Transformation and/or transfection can be accomplished using known techniques . A fourth aspect of the invention therefore relates to a process for transfectmg or transforming a host cell (such as to produce a cell of the second aspect) , the process comprising transforming or transfεcting a fungal cell with a vector of the third aspect.

A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to polynucleotide comprising a sequence encoding a hydroxylase enzyme operably linked to a fungal expression signal and/or fungal promoter.

A sixth aspect relates to a compound of formula (I) when produced by the process of the first aspect or a host cell of the second aspect . A seventh aspect of the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of the sixth aspect and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient .

Preferred features and characteristics of one aspect of the invention are applicable to another aspect mutatis mutandis .

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following Examples, which are provided for illustration and are not to be construed as being limiting on the invention.

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1

Isolation of Streptomyces carbophil us hydroxylase gene.

Strain S. carbophil us deposited at the Fermentation Research Institute, Ibaraki-ken, Japan under Accession No.

FERM-BP1145⁶'⁷ was grown at 28°C for 72 hrs in a liquid medium containing: yeast extract lg/1 casarαino acids 4g/l glycerol 4g/l

MgS0₄ lg/1

CaCl₂ O.lg/l trace elements solution (0.1% ZnS0₄.7H₂0, 0.1% FeS0₄.7H₂0, 0.1% MnCl₂.4H₂0) 2ml/l glycine (to a final concentration of 0.5%). The mycelium was then harvested by centrifugation, washed once with 0.7% NaCl solution, and subjected to a total DNA isolation procedure⁸. For isolation of the compactin hydroxylase gene the following 4 oligonucleotide primers were prepared based on the published sequence⁹ (with minor adaptations to facilitate cloning) : primer 8804 5 ' -CACCATGGCCGAGATGACAGAGAAAGCC-3 ' primer 8805 5 ' -CAGGATCCCGCTCGGTCACCAGGTGACC-3 * Oligon cieotiαe comoination 8804/8805 was used to amplify the hydroxylase gene from the S . caroopml us chromosomal DNA using PCR with the following characteristics : first cycle 3 minutes 96 °C, 20 seconαs 60°C, 90 seconds 72°C; next 29 cycles of 20 seconαs 96 °C, 30 seconαs 60°C, 90 seconds 72°C; and finally one cyc_.e of 7 minutes 72°C followed by quick cooling to 4°C.

A DNA fragment about 1.3 kb long was obtained containing the hydroxylase gene. The 1.3 kb blunt-end PCR fragment was inserted into the general cloning vector pCR- blunt Ξtratagene, La Jolla, USA) resulting m plasmiα pCRP450a.

EXAMPLE 2

Vector construction and transformation of E . coll

For the introduction of the hydroxylase gene into different filamentous fungi a set of transformation vectors was constructed. These vectors were based on several general funga expression vectors of the pAN series'", particularly pAN7-l and pAN8-l. pAN8-l was digested with Ncol and Smal and into it ligateα the 1.3 kb fragment encoding the hydroxylase gene, obtaineα by αigestion of pCRP450a by £coRV and partially by Ncol. The ligation mixture was mtroαuced m E. coll strain XLl-Blue (electrocompetent cells, Stratagene, La Jolla, USA) using tr.e tecnnique recommended by the supplier. Thus plasmid pANP45Ca was created and isolated, derived from insertion of the PC? fragment obtained from primer combination 8804/8805. The identity of the pias id constructs of E . con transformants was confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis and DNA sequencing.

EXAMPLE 3 Transformation of Peni cilli um ci trinum

Protoplast formation, transformation with piasmid DNA, and regeneration of P. ci trinum was carried out similar to known methods for transforming filamentous fungi. ^lx

For fresh conidia formation P. ci trinum ATCC 38065 was incubated on plates containing PDA (potato dextrose agar,Dιfco) at 26°C for 10 days. To 20 ml of YGG medium (6.6 g/1 Yeast Nitrogen Base (Difco) , 1.5 g/1 citric acid. 6 g/1 K₂HP0„, 8 g/1 KC1, 16 g/1 glucose, and 2 g/1 yeast extract) conidiospores were added to a final concentration of 10⁷ spores/ml. After incubation for 24 hrs at 26^CC on a rotary shaker (280 rpm) 5 ml of germinated spores were inoculated m 100 mi of fresn YGG medium and incubated for another 16 hrs.Mycelium was collected by filtration through sterile Myracloth™ rinsed with and resuspended in 0.27 M CaCl₂, 0.6 M NaCl at a concentration of approximately 1 g mycelium/20 ml. Protoplasts were prepared by incubation with NovoZym™ 234 at a final concentration of 5 mg/ l at 25°C with slow agitation (50-100 rpm) until maximum protoplastation. Protoplasts were separated from the mycelium by filtration through sterile Myracloth™. The protoplast suspension was diluted (1:1) in STC buffer consisting of 1.2 M sorbitol, 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), and 50 mM CaCl , and incubated on ice for 5-10 mm. Protoplasts were collected by centrifugation (3000 rpm, 10 mm, 0°C) and wasned twice with STC. Finally, the protoplasts were resuspended at a final concentration of 10⁷- lOVml in STC.

Transformation of P. ci trinum was carried out by cotransformation cf plasmids pANP450a and pAN7-l as follows: 40 μl of a solution containing 40 μg of piasmid DNA 20 μg of each piasmid) m the presence of 200 mM aunn tricarboxyiic acid was carefully mixed with 100 μl of 20% PEG 4000 m STC, followed by 200 μl protoplast—suspension and incubated for 20 mm at 0°C. Next, 100 μl of 60% PEG 4000 m STC was added, followed by a 20 minute incubation at room temperature.

To obtain colonies of transformed fungi polyethylene glycol-treated protoplast suspensions were diluted by addition of 5 ml of STC and the protoplasts were collected by centrifugation (10 mm, 3000 rpm, 0°C) and resuspendeα in 500 μl of STC. About 100-200 μl of this suspension was plated onto osmotically stabilized (1.2 sorbitol) agar medium to which Hygromycin B was added to a final concentration of 100 μg/ml.

Strains growing under selective conditions were left to sporulate (14 days), and purified by restreak g on PDA containing 100 μg/ml Hygromycin B. The presence of the compactin hydroxylase gene sequence the respective transformants was confirmed using the PCR technique as descrioeα Example 1. Strains proven to have obtained and integrated the transformed piasmid, including the complete hydroxylase gene were selected and named PRA201 through PRA 208.

EXAMPLE 4 Fermentative production of pravastatin by Peni cilli um ci trinum transformant strains.

A batch of culture medium with the following composition was prepared:

Glucose 75. Og Yeast extract (Difco) 5.0g

The transformant strain numbers PRA201 to PRA208 were maintained on agar slants, and allowed to sporulate. The spores were collected from the agar medium, suspended in sterile water, and used to inoculate 100ml shake flasks, containing 25ml of the culture medium.

Each strain was cultivated in duplicate shake flasks .

The production cultures were incubated at 25°C and 250rpm on an orbital shaker. After 5 days of incubation, the cultures were sampled for statin production.

One ml of culture broth was transferred to a plastic tube, and diluted with 1ml methanol. The tube was stoppered, and subsequently shaken for 30 minutes on a Vortex shaker. Subsequently the tube was centrifuged to remove the precipitate.

The supernatant fraction was analysed using HPLC . The production of pravastatin was observed by the appearance of a peak at the characteristic retention time. The identity of this peak was confirmed by the addition of a pravastatin standard to the sample, which caused an increase of this peak, and by analysis of the UV spectrum, which was identical to that of a genuine pravastatin standard.

The production levels (m mg/1) of the individual transformants is as follows:

Transformant Production level (in duplicate) PRA 201 1.97 / 1.88

PRA 202 5.95 / 3.37

PRA 203 6.80 / 4.53

PRA 204 9.29 / 9.57

PRA 205 1.78 / 1.12 PRA 206 5.00 / 5.92

PRA 207 1.58 / 2.15

PRA 208 5.04 / 6.91

REFERENCES

1. M Arai et al, Sankyo Kenkyusho Nempo

(Annu. Rep. Sankyo Res. Lab.) 40: 1-38 (1988)

2. Hosobuchi et al , Biotechnology and Bioengineering,

42: 815-820 (1993) .

3. EP-A-0,649,907.

4. US-A-3,983,140.

5. K. Wagschal et al, J. Chem. Soc, Perkin Trans.

1: 2357-2363 (1996)

6. EP-A-0,215,665

7. Okazaki et al, Annu.Rep.Sankyo Res. Lab. 41: 123-133

(1989)

8. Hopwood et al, Genetic Manipulation of Streptomyces,

a Laboratory Manual, John Innes Foundation, Norwich, 1985.

9. Watanabe et al, Gene 163: 81-85 (1995)

10. P.J. Punt and C.A.M. van den Hondel, Methods in Enzy ology 216: 447-457 (1993)

11. Nara et al, Curr. Genet. 23: 28-32 (1993)

12. Yelton et al, Proc .Natl .Acad. Sci . USA 81: 1470-1474

(1984) 13. Sambrook et al, Molecular Cloning, a Laboratory

Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York (1989) 14. EP-A-0,635,574

Claims

1. A process for preparing a compound of formula

wherein: each of R¹ and R² independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy, C_x_₁₀ alkyl, C^o alkoxy, C₃_₁₀ cycloalkyl or C₆_╬╣o aryl group or a C₇-_n aralkyl group optionally containing one or more hetero atoms ; R³ represents R^O- or R¹C(0)0-_; each of R⁴ and R⁵ independently represent a hydrogen atom, -COOR¹ (except that then R¹ is not a hydroxy or alkoxy group) , -OR¹ or -COR¹ or, when combined complete a six-membered carbon ring having one or two oxygen heteroatoms ; wherein each of the alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, aryl and/or aralkyl groups can be optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy or C^ alkoxy groups ; and w, x, y and z represent none, 1 or when taken together up to 2 double bonds; or a salt and/or isomer thereof; the process comprising culturing a fungal host cell that expresses a foreign hydroxylase enzyme under conditions that allow biosynthesis to take place.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein R¹ represents a methyl group, R² represents a hydroxy group and/or there are two double bonds at positions x and z .

3. A process according to claim 1 or 2 wherein R³ represents a 2 -methyl butyrate group, R⁴ represents a hydroxy group and R⁵ represents -COOH.

4. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the compound is in HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

5. A process according to any preceding claim for preparing pravastatin (either in acid open ring or lactone form) or a salt thereof.

6. A polynucleotide comprising a sequence encoding a hydroxylase enzyme operably linked to fungal expression signal (s) and/or fungal promoter.

7. A polynucleotide according to claim 6 wherein the hydroxylase enzyme is of bacterial origin.

8. A polynucleotide according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the hydroxylase enzyme is from Streptomyces .

9. A polynucleotide according to any of claims 6 to 8 wherein the signal (s) and/or promoter are from Aspergillus or Penicillium .

10. A polynucleotide according to any of claims 6 to 9 additionally comprising a pgk or gpd gene.

11. A vector comprising a polynucleotide as defined in any of claims 6 to 10.

12. A process for transfecting or transforming a host cell, the process comprising transforming or transfecting a fungal cell with a vector according to claim 11.

13. A process according to claim 12 wherein the host cell is co-transformed with another vector which contains a selectable or selective marker.

14. A process according to claim 13 wherein the marker confers resistance to either hygromycin or phleomycin.

15. A fungal host cell comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a foreign hydroxylase enzyme.

16. A host cell according to claim 15 obtainable by a process as defined in any of claims 12 to 14 or containing a polynucleotide as defined in any of claims 6 to 10.

17. A host cell according to claim 15 or 16 which is Penicillium citrinum or Aspergillus terreus .

18. A host cell according to any of claims 15 to 17 which is capable of biosynthesising, de novo, a compound of

formula (I) .

19. A host cell according to any of claims 15 to 18 which is capable of biosynthesising a compound of formula

(II) (which is formula (I) where OH at the 6 -position is replaced by H) and converting it, by the hydroxylase enzyme, into a compound of formula (I) .

20. A host cell according to any of claims 15 to 19 which can be used as the fungal host cell in a process as defined in any of claims 1 to 5.

21. A compound of formula (I) produced either by a process according to any of claims 1 to 5 or by a fungal host cell according to any of claims 15 to 20.

22. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 21 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient .