Assays for cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase and 12 alpha-hydroxylase using high performance liquid chromatography

Rapid and accurate assay methods for cholesterol:NADPH oxidoreductase (EC 1.14.13.17, 7 alpha-hydroxylating) and 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one 12 alpha-hydroxylase (enzyme not yet registered) are described. 7 alpha-Hydroxylase utilizes the endogenous cholesterol of liver microsomes as substrate. The reaction products were separated by high performance liquid chromatography monitored at 214 nm. Much higher activity was obtained with the method compared to literature values, which were obtained using externally added radioactive cholesterol as the substrate. The 12 alpha-hydroxylase activity was measured using non-radioactive steroid as the substrate. The reaction products were separated by the chromatography and detected at 240 nm. Comparable activities were obtained by this method compared to those that were obtained using radioactive substrate.