Component of the dammarane-type triterpene saponins (e.g. ginsenosides or panaxosides) biosynthetic pathway (PubMed:17088293, PubMed:23484102, PubMed:25981048, PubMed:27746309, PubMed:29378087). Oxydosqualene cyclase that produces specifically the 20S isomer of the triterpene dammarenediol II (PubMed:17088293, PubMed:23484102, PubMed:25981048). dammarenediol-II = (S)-2,3-epoxysqualene + H2O Secondary metabolite biosynthesis; terpenoid biosynthesis. Monomer. Expressed in flower buds, leaves, stems, petioles and roots. Rapid decrease in leaves from the leaf opened to the green fruit stage (PubMed:30577538). Slight increase in roots from the leaf opened to the green fruit stage (PubMed:30577538). Up-regulated by methyl jasmonate (PubMed:17088293). Induced by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) in a nitric oxide (NO) dependent manner thus leading to increased ginsenosides accumulation (PubMed:23467002). Induced by A.niger mycelium-derived elicitor, thus improving ginsenosides production in adventitious roots culture (PubMed:27746309). Triggered by vanadate (Ref.10). Induced by Tween 80 (PubMed:24889095). Accumulates under heavy metal stress in the presence of CuCl(2) and CdCl(2) (PubMed:23232757). Influenced in roots and leaves by relative humidity and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and in leaves by rain (PubMed:30577538). Transgenic tobacco plants coexpressing PgDDS and PgPPDS1/CYP716A47 accumulate dammarene sapogenin (protopanaxadiol, PPD). Belongs to the terpene cyclase/mutase family.