Open AccessMicrobial degradation of steroid sex hormones: implications for environmental and ecological studies
Author(s) -
Chiang YinRu,
Wei Sean TingShyang,
Wang PoHsiang,
Wu PeiHsun,
Yu ChangPing
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
microbial biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.287
H-Index - 74
ISSN - 1751-7915
DOI - 10.1111/1751-7915.13504
Subject(s) - steroid , hormone , ecology , degradation (telecommunications) , biology , environmental science , computer science , endocrinology , telecommunications
Summary Steroid hormones modulate development, reproduction and communication in eukaryotes. The widespread occurrence and persistence of steroid hormones have attracted public attention due to their endocrine‐disrupting effects on both wildlife and human beings. Bacteria are responsible for mineralizing steroids from the biosphere. Aerobic degradation of steroid hormones relies on O 2 as a co‐substrate of oxygenases to activate and to cleave the recalcitrant steroidal core ring. To date, two oxygen‐dependent degradation pathways – the 9,10‐ seco pathway for androgens and the 4,5‐ seco pathways for oestrogens – have been characterized. Under anaerobic conditions, denitrifying bacteria adopt the 2,3‐ seco pathway to degrade different steroid structures. Recent meta‐omics revealed that microorganisms able to degrade steroids are highly diverse and ubiquitous in different ecosystems. This review also summarizes culture‐independent approaches using the characteristic metabolites and catabolic genes to monitor steroid biodegradation in various ecosystems.