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Updated: May 4, 2026

Genomic Transformation of the Picoeukaryote Ostreococcus tauri
Published on: July 13, 2012
Microbial transformation of sterols to C19-steroids by Rhodococcus equi
Abstract:
A wild-type strain of Rhodococcus equi, isolated from soil, degraded cholesterol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and mixed sterois to androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD) and androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD). A definite preference for a relatively simply structured cholesterol side chain was observed. Highest specific cholesterol side-chain cleavage was associated with active growth of the culture. Maximum yield of ADD was obtained when sodium acetate and cholesterol were incorporated together in the medium. Specific side-chain cleavage required the presence of 2,2'-dipyridyl, an inhibitor of ring cleavage.
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