Microbial hydroxylation and glucuronidation of the angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonist MK 954

The microbial metabolism of MK 954 (Fig. 1), a novel nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist, was investigated using 40 microorganisms in an initial screen for cultures that will produce metabolites similar to those produced in the mammalian liver. The microbial transformation occurred under aerobic conditions in shake flasks incubated at 27 degrees C. Three metabolites of MK 954 were isolated and identified as the 1'-hydroxy M2, 3'-hydroxy M1, and glucuronic acid conjugated M3 derivatives. The structures of the metabolites were established by UV, 1H-NMR spectroscopy and FAB-MS spectrometry and are identical to metabolites produced by incubation of MK 954 with mammalian liver slices.