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Microbial hydroxylation of steroids
Author(s) -
Afzal Mohammad,
AlAwadhi Sameera,
AlTamimi Safa,
Oommen Sushama
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.715.1
Subject(s) - hydroxylation , steroid , stereospecificity , chemistry , metabolite , testosterone (patch) , stereochemistry , thermophile , biochemistry , enzyme , biology , hormone , endocrinology , catalysis
Current study was initiated to investigate steroid hydroxylation potential of a new food born thermophile Geobacillus kaustophilus. Incubation of progesterone and testosterone with G. kaustophilus resulted in stereospecific hydroxylation of progesterone and testosterone giving monohydroxylated and dihydroxylated products. A cleavage of ring B of the steroid nucleus was also obtained which is a novel metabolite. Geobacillus kaustophilus has not been used before for steroid hydroxylations. Thermophilic enzymes have a significant advantage for their isolation at elevated temperatures and can be used for cell free transformations offering a convenient method for introduction of hydroxyl groups in a stereospecific and regiospecific manner into steroid nuclei. Stereochemical oxygenation of a steroid nucleus is not possible with chemical reactions and microbial hydroxylation of steroids may have a direct impact on drug development. Conclusion G. kaustophilus has an excellent potential for stereospecific hydroxylation of natural steroid nucleus at elevated temperature. This study was supported by Research Administration, Kuwait University, Kuwait.