| abstract |
The present invention is directed to an isolated esterase gene coding for an esterase capable of causing asymmetric hydrolysis of an organic carboxylic acid ester of a cyclopentenolone of formula I: (see fig. I) wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl, and R2 is C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10alkynyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, a C5-C9 aliphatic hydrocarbon moiety which may be optionally protected on the terminal hydroxyl group thereof, or a C5-C9 fatty acid residue which may be optionally protected on the terminal carboxyl group thereof, to produce the cyclopentenolone of formula I in (r)-form, and hybridizing to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. It is useful for the industrially favourable production of optically active cyclopentenolones of formula I which serve as intermediates in the preparation of drugs, agricultural chemicals or other active products. |