An enzymatic approach to configurationally rare trans-androsteronyl-α-glucoside and Its potential anticancer application.

Enzymatic glycosylation of sterols/steroids with glycosyltransferase HP0421 shows protein plasticity on generation of configurationally rare steryl-α-glucosides. Investigation of trans-androsteronyl-α-glucoside on tamoxifen-treated MCF-7 breast cancer cells shows dose-dependent depression of cell viability and enhanced drug effectiveness, illustrating a new avenue for the production of novel steryl-α-glucosides with useful biological activities.