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Testosterone metabolism in streptomyces hydrogenans.
Zeitschrift Fur Naturforschung. Section C, Biosciences
|March 1, 1975
Summary
Streptomyces hydrogenans primarily oxidizes testosterone to androst-4-en-3,17-dione, which is then secreted into the culture medium. This predominant reaction occurs rapidly within 3 hours of cultivation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Steroid Metabolism
Background:
- Streptomyces hydrogenans is known for its metabolic capabilities.
- Understanding steroid transformation pathways is crucial in biochemistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the metabolic fate of testosterone in Streptomyces hydrogenans.
- To identify and quantify testosterone metabolites produced by the bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of Streptomyces hydrogenans with 3H-labelled testosterone.
- Extraction of radioactive steroids from cellular fractions and culture medium.
- Separation and identification using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), crystallization, and acetylation.
Main Results:
- The predominant metabolic pathway observed is the oxidation of testosterone to androst-4-en-3,17-dione.
- This oxidation reaction is nearly complete within 3 hours of cultivation.
- Androst-4-en-3,17-dione is primarily released into the culture medium, with some accumulation in the cell wall-membrane fraction.
- Highly polar steroid metabolites and androstane derivatives are found in minimal quantities.
Conclusions:
- Streptomyces hydrogenans efficiently converts testosterone to androst-4-en-3,17-dione.
- The bacterium preferentially excretes this primary metabolite into its environment.
- The study elucidates a key step in microbial steroid biotransformation.