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A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
INTERMEDIATES IN THE METABOLISM OF STEROIDS BY PENICILLIUM LILACINUM
O K Sebek1, L M Reineke, D H Peterson
1Research Laboratories, The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Journal of Bacteriology
|June 1, 1962
Summary
Penicillium lilacinum metabolizes progesterone into testosterone and androstenedione. This study identifies key steroid intermediates during microbial steroid transformations.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Steroid Metabolism
Background:
- Steroid biotransformations are crucial in pharmaceutical and industrial applications.
- Understanding microbial metabolism pathways provides insights into enzymatic processes.
- Penicillium lilacinum is known for its steroid-modifying capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the metabolic pathway of progesterone by Penicillium lilacinum.
- To identify and characterize the intermediate compounds formed during steroid metabolism.
- To investigate the interconversion of specific steroid metabolites.
Main Methods:
- Utilized nonproliferating cells of Penicillium lilacinum for steroid metabolism experiments.
- Employed a combination of microbiological incubation and chemical analysis.
- Isolated and identified intermediate metabolites using advanced analytical techniques.
Main Results:
- Progesterone was successively metabolized to 20-beta-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, testosterone, androstenedione, and testololactone.
- Testosterone and androstenedione were found to be readily interconvertible.
- 11-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone was transformed analogously, yielding 11-alpha, 20-beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one.
Conclusions:
- Penicillium lilacinum efficiently transforms progesterone through a series of specific steroid intermediates.
- The study confirms the microbial interconversion of key androgenic steroids.
- Identified novel intermediates provide a deeper understanding of fungal steroid biotransformation pathways.
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