Construction of a novel expression vector in Pseudonocardia autotrophica and its application to efficient biotransformation of compactin to pravastatin, a specific HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor

► The novel plasmid vector (pTAOR4-Rev) suitable for gene expression in actinomycete strains of Pseudonocardia autotrophica was constructed. ► Acetone-inducible promoter was determined and introduced it to the expression vector. ► P. autotrophica carrying pTAOR4 that harbors a compactin-hydroxylating P450 gene efficiently produces pravastatin, a drug for hypercholesterolemia.