Oxidosqualene cyclase converting oxidosqualene into beta-amyrin, generating five rings and eight asymmetric centers in a single transformation. Required for the production of soyasaponins and glycyrrhizin. (S)-2,3-epoxysqualene = beta-amyrin Highly expressed in thickened roots and root nodules. Detected in roots, hypocotyls and cotyledons of young seedlings. Peak of expression 2 days after germination. High levels of expression when aerial parts are growing. Up-regulated by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and down-regulated by gibberellin A3 (GA3). Belongs to the terpene cyclase/mutase family.