Component of the oleanane-type triterpene saponins biosynthetic pathway (PubMed:15821288, PubMed:29378087). Oxidosqualene cyclase converting oxidosqualene into beta-amyrin, generating five rings and eight asymmetric centers in a single transformation (PubMed:9746369). (S)-2,3-epoxysqualene = beta-amyrin Secondary metabolite biosynthesis; terpenoid biosynthesis. Monomer. Mostly expressed in roots, and, to a lower extent, in stems and leaves. Progressive decrease in roots from the leaf opened stage to the green fruit, red fruit and root growth stages, respectively. Induced methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in adventitious roots (PubMed:15356323, PubMed:15538577). Accumulates upon Cle-mediated signaling, an elicitor derived from fungal cell walls of C.lagenarium, thus inducing the accumulation of saponins. Triggered by ethylene (ACC), rose bengal (RB), nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) (PubMed:15821288). Accumulates under heavy metal stress in the presence of NiCl(2) and CdCl(2) (PubMed:23232757). Influenced in roots and leaves by relative humidity, and in roots by soil water potential (PubMed:30577538). Belongs to the terpene cyclase/mutase family.