棉铃虫作为单核细胞增生李斯特菌感染模型的初步研究

研究单核细胞增生李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes,简称Lm)对棉铃虫(Helicoverpa armigera)的致病性,探讨棉铃虫作为Lm感染模型的可行性。用野生株EGDe(中毒)、PrfA缺失株(EGDeΔprfA,弱毒)和PrfA组成型高表达株(EGDeΔprfA+pERL3-prfA~*,高毒)腹腔微量注射4龄棉铃虫幼虫,计算半数致死量(LD_(50))和虫体的载菌量,同时观测棉铃虫中肠细胞的病理变化以及血细胞包囊作用和数目。实验结果显示:①EGDe、EGDeΔprfA和EGDeΔprfA+pERL3-prfA~*的LD_(50)分别为2.56×10~3 cfu/mL、1.98×10~6 cfu/mL和6.63×10~2 cfu/mL。②感染Lm后,EGDe和EGDeΔprfA+pERL3-prfA~*在棉铃虫体内各部分的活菌数均有所上升,而EGDeΔprfA却显著下降。③中肠病理切片显示,Lm对棉铃虫幼虫中肠细胞的损伤程度与菌株的毒性高低正相关,并且随时间延长差异更为明显。④EGDeΔprfA+pERL3-prfA~*对棉铃虫血细胞的包囊作用的抑制作用最强,而EGDeΔprfA基本无抑制作用。⑤感染Lm后,棉铃虫的血细胞数量先急剧上升随后减少。72 h时,感染EGDe、EGDeΔprfA和EGDeΔprfA+pERL3-prfA~*的血细胞减少量分别为45%、27%和71%。结果表明,Lm不仅能成功侵染棉铃虫幼虫并致其死亡,且其半数致死量、其对棉铃虫中肠细胞的损伤程度以及对血细胞包囊作用和数量的影响等均与细菌毒力高低有较好的关联性,表明棉铃虫幼虫(至少是4龄棉铃虫幼虫)适合作为研究Lm致病机制的昆虫模型。     

基因dat对单核细胞增生李斯特氏菌的生物学特性影响

单核细胞增生李斯特氏菌(Listeria monocytogenes,Lm)是一种重要的食源性致病菌,其基因dat编码D-丙氨酸氨基转移酶,可将D-谷氨酸转变为D-丙氨酸,后者是细菌细胞壁肽聚糖的组成成分。在Lm野生株EGDe actA及inlB双基因缺失株(EGDeΔactAΔinlB)的基础上,利用同源重组的方法进一步构建了缺失基因dat的菌株(EGDeΔactAΔinlBΔdat),并对该缺失菌株生长状态、毒力基因表达水平、细胞侵袭及生物被膜的形成量等基本生物学特性进行研究,运用Real Time-PCR(RT-PCR)测定Lm毒力基因的相对表达量。结果表明,基因的缺失对突变菌株的生长能力以及生物被膜形成有重要的调控作用,并导致毒力基因srt A、plc A表达量下调,VIP、inlA表达量上调,对Coca-2细胞的侵袭无影响。此缺失株的构建为进一步研究基因dat的功能提供了材料。     

单核细胞增生性李斯特菌prfA基因缺失株的构建及其生物学特性

【目的】单核细胞增生性李斯特菌(Lm)是人兽共患李斯特菌病的病原菌,其致病性与调控因子PrfA蛋白作用下毒力基因的表达有着密切关系,本文初步探讨了PrfA蛋白对细菌毒力因子的调控作用。【方法】利用同源重组技术对血清型分别为1/2a和4b的LM4、F4636进行prfA基因的敲除,并构建其回复突变株,对获得的突变株LM4ΔprfA、F4636ΔprfA进行生物学特性研究。【结果】实验结果表明:两株缺失株的溶血活性丧失、回复突变株的溶血活性得到恢复,突变株还丧失磷脂酶活性,黏附和侵袭特性显著下降(P<0.05),对BALB/c小鼠的半数致死剂量提高了105个数量级。【结论】由此表明,PrfA蛋白对hly、plcB、inl家族基因的表达及细菌毒力具有重要的调控作用。prfA基因缺失株的构建为进一步研究PrfA蛋白的调控功能提供了材料,为研究其在Lm致病性中的作用奠定了基础。     

毒力基因调控蛋白PrfA促进单核细胞增生李斯特菌生物被膜的形成

单核细胞增生李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes,LM)是重要的革兰氏阳性食源性致病菌,易在食品以及各种食品加工、运输和保藏设备的接触面形成生物被膜,从而具有更强的抗逆性而难以彻底清除,因此成为食品卫生安全的重要隐患.PrfA是LM毒力基因转录表达的重要调控因子,通过比较研究LM野生株(EGD和EGDe)、PrfA缺失株(EGDAprfA和EGDeAprfA)、无害李斯特菌(Listeria innocua,LI),携带组成性表达PrfA蛋白的重组无害李斯特菌(LI-pERL3-prfA*)以及重组单核细胞增生李斯特菌(EGDeΔprfA-pERL3-prfA*)生物被膜形成能力的差异,探讨LM重要的毒力调控蛋白PrfA对生物被膜形成的影响.实验结果显示:LM野生株具有较强的生物被膜形成能力,而LI形成生物被膜的能力最弱;PrfA的缺失能降低LM生物被膜的形成能力;组成性高量表达PrfA蛋白可以回复EGDeΔprfA的生物被膜形成能力,但对LI没有增强作用.以上实验结果表明:PrfA在LM生物被膜形成中具有重要的促进作用.     

谷氨酸脱氢酶缺失对单核细胞增生李斯特菌生物被膜、毒力及胞外蛋白表达的影响

目的:探究谷氨酸脱氢酶缺失对单核细胞增生李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes,Lm)生物被膜、毒力及胞外蛋白表达的影响。方法:利用微孔板法,检测谷氨酸脱氢酶缺失对Lm生物被膜形成能力的影响;比较野生株、谷氨酸脱氢酶缺失株EGDeΔgdh A及回复菌株EGDeΔgdh A+p ERL3-gdh A的溶血活性和对棉铃虫幼虫的半数致死量,检测谷氨酸脱氢酶缺失对Lm毒力的影响;利用i TRAQ技术对Lm野生株EGDe与谷氨酸脱氢酶缺失株EGDeΔgdh A的胞外蛋白进行分离与鉴定,并对差异表达蛋白质进行生物信息学分析。结果:与野生株相比,缺失株形成的生物被膜量显著降低(P≤0.01),溶血活性下降,对棉铃虫幼虫的半数致死量上升了1.6倍;蛋白质组学结果显示,缺失谷氨酸脱氢酶后差异性表达的胞外蛋白有62个,其中47个蛋白质表达量下调,15个蛋白质表达量上调。进一步将这些差异表达蛋白质同COG数据库进行比对及功能聚类分析,结果显示,这些蛋白质的功能分别属于碳水化合物转运与代谢、核苷酸转运和代谢、能量合成与转运相关、转录及细胞膜细胞壁相关蛋白等16个功能类别;其中碳氮代谢及能量转运相关蛋白数量最多,为24个,占所鉴定出的差异蛋白质总量的38.71%。表明谷氨酸脱氢酶是单核细胞增生李斯特菌中碳氮代谢和能量转运中的关键酶。同时,发现有3个与细菌黏附及生物被膜形成相关的蛋白质表达量下降。以上结果较好地解释了EGDeΔgdh A在基础培养基中生长缓慢和生物量显著性下降,以及生物被膜形成能力降低的现象。结论:谷氨酸脱氢酶在单核细胞增生李斯特菌生物被膜、毒力及胞外蛋白表达方面有重要作用。     

单核细胞增生李斯特菌hfq基因缺失株的构建及其生物学特性

【目的】单核细胞增生李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes,Lm)为革兰氏阳性的短杆菌,营腐生和寄生生活,是重要的食源性人兽共患病原菌,对低温、酸碱和高渗透压等环境具有较强的抵抗力。Lm在各种环境中适应、生存并表现致病力,是与调控因子的网络调控密切相关,本文初步研究了细菌调控因子hfq的生物学特性。【方法】利用同源重组技术对血清型为1/2 a的EGDe菌株进行hfq基因的敲除,对获得的突变株EGDe△hfq进行生化鉴定及生物学特性研究。【结果】实验结果表明:在4℃低温环境下,缺失株生长显著减慢(P<0.05);在含7%Na Cl高渗BHI培养基及含4.5%乙醇的BHI培养基中生长受到抑制;缺失株形成生物被膜的能力显著下降(P<0.05);对Caco-2细胞系的侵袭能力下降;与野生型菌株相比,EGDe△hfq对BALB/c小鼠的感染能力减弱、半数致死剂量提高。【结论】由此表明,Hfq蛋白对细菌抗胁迫、生物被膜形成及细菌毒力具有重要的调控作用。此缺失株的构建为进一步研究Hfq的功能提供了材料,为研究其在Lm胁迫环境生存及疾病预防控制奠定了基础。     

单核细胞增生李斯特菌中CcpA缺失株的构建及对毒力的影响

CcpA是革兰氏阳性菌中由ccpA基因编码的介导碳分解代谢物阻遏的全局调控因子。近年来的研究表明,CcpA不仅参与CCR效应,还直接或间接参与病原细菌毒力基因的表达调控。为探讨CcpA对单核细胞增生李斯特菌（Lm）毒力的影响,应用同源重组方法构建CcpA缺失菌株。以BLAB/c小鼠为实验动物模型,检测野生株EGDe和缺失株EGDeΔccpA侵染小鼠后的半数致死剂量 LD₅₀和肝脾细菌载菌量,观察小鼠肝脏和脾脏的病理形态变化。结果显示：缺失CcpA后,Lm的LD₅₀降低了10倍,虽然肝脾细菌载菌量没有显著变化,但EGDe△ccpA对小鼠肝和脾的损害更为严重,表明CcpA缺失增强了细菌的毒力,CcpA 对Lm 毒力基因的表达可能具有间接或者直接的调控作用。     

单核细胞增生李斯特菌膜囊泡的制备及生物活性

【背景】细胞外囊泡(Extracellular Vesicles,EVs)是一种在自然界中普遍存在的包含生物学活性物质的囊泡状结构,其中包括革兰氏阳性菌分泌的膜囊泡(Membrane Vesicles,MVs)。近年来,单核细胞增生李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes,Lm)作为一种能产MVs的革兰氏阳性致病菌引起了众多科研人员的关注,尽管如此,对其MVs的了解仍然有限。【目的】建立健全Lm-MVs制备方法,同时深入了解其生物活性。【方法】以Lm野生菌株EGDe及其毒力突变株(EGDe△prfA、EGDe△prfA+pERL3-prfA*)为研究对象,利用超滤浓缩法和Optiprep密度梯度离心法提取Lm的MVs,并对这两种提取MVs的方法进行比较。此外,通过检测不同MVs对菌株生物被膜的影响,以及不同MVs的溶血活性和对棉铃虫的感染毒性来探究MVs的生物活性。【结果】相较于超滤浓缩法,Optiprep密度梯度离心法提取的Lm-MVs产率高、电镜观测效果好,但该方法操作相对复杂,耗时较长;不同毒力的Lm均可向外分泌直径20-200nm的MVs,而且MVs的形态结构与菌株的毒力无明显关系;但MVs可以影响菌株生物被膜的形成,具有一定的溶血活性,并能导致棉铃虫幼虫死亡或者降低其存活率和化蛹率,而且其毒性与菌株本身毒性正相关。【结论】Lm分泌的MVs极有可能直接参与了Lm对宿主的致病,并在细菌-细菌之间以及细菌-宿主相互作用中扮演了重要角色。研究结果将对进一步研究革兰氏阳性菌MVs的形成和功能以及Lm的致病机制具有重要意义。     

DegU调控单核细胞增生李斯特菌感染宿主细胞及适应高温的机制研究

【目的】本研究旨在探究孤儿调节因子DegU在介导单核细胞增生李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes)宿主感染和高温环境适应性方面的调控机制。【方法】本研究以单增李斯特菌参考菌株EGD-e、degU基因缺失菌株ΔdegU和回补菌株CΔdegU为研究材料，通过细胞模型、实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应和凝胶阻滞试验等方法探究DegU对单增李斯特菌感染宿主细胞和适应高温的调控机制。【结果】研究结果表明：缺失degU后，单增李斯特菌在Caco-2上的黏附和侵袭能力显著降低，在RAW264.7中的增殖能力显著降低，在L929中的空斑形成能力也显著降低；进一步通过实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应检测degU基因缺失后引起的单增李斯特菌毒力因子转录水平变化，发现多个重要毒力因子转录水平均显著下调；该试验结果还发现与毒力相关的热应激基因clpE(受CtsR抑制的ATP依赖蛋白水解酶编码基因)转录水平显著升高，而在43℃高温条件下，clpE转录水平显著降低；进一步通过凝胶阻滞试验结果表明DegU能够与clpE的启动子直接结合。【结论】综上所述，degU基因缺失能够降低单增李斯特菌在宿主感染过程中的细...     

CodY在单核细胞增生李斯特菌运动和毒力方面的作用

目的:探究全局性转录调控因子CodY在单核细胞增生李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes,Lm)鞭毛运动和细菌毒力方面的作用。方法:通过同源重组的方法敲除Lm染色体上CodY的编码基因codY并成功构建缺失菌株的回复菌株;利用平板泳动法观测鞭毛运动的变化,RT-qPCR检测与鞭毛运动相关基因的转录表达;比较野生型菌株EGDe与CodY缺失菌株对细菌溶血活性、棉铃虫幼虫的半致死剂量和主要的毒力因子LLO和毒力基因调控蛋白PrfA转录表达的影响。结果:同野生型菌株相比,CodY缺失菌株鞭毛运动和相关基因,以及主要的毒力因子LLO和PrfA的转录表达显著降低(P≤0.01),溶血活性显著降低(P≤0.01),对棉铃虫幼虫的半致死剂量上升了5.8倍。结论:CodY在Lm鞭毛运动和细菌毒力调控方面具有重要作用。     

Comparative study of Bifidobacteriumanimalis, Escherichiacoli, Lactobacilluscasei and Saccharomycesboulardii probiotic properties

The present work investigates some probiotic properties of four different microorganisms (Bifidobacterium animalis var. lactis BB-12, Escherichia coli EMO, Lactobacillus casei and Saccharomyces boulardii). In vitro and in vivo tests were carried out to compare cell wall hydrophobicity, production of antagonistic substances, survival capacity in the gastrointestinal tract of germ-free mice without pathological consequence, and immune modulation by stimulation of Küpffer cells, intestinal sIgA and IL-10 levels. In vitro antagonism against pathogenic bacteria and yeast was only observed for the probiotic bacteria B. animalis and L. casei. The hydrophobic property of the cell wall was higher for B. animalis and E. coli EMO, and this property could be responsible for a better ability to colonize the gastrointestinal tract of germ-free mice. Higher levels of sIgA were observed mainly for S. boulardii, followed by E. coli EMO and B. animalis, and only S. boulardii induced a significant higher level of IL-10. In conclusion, for a probiotic use, S. boulardii presented better characteristics in terms of immunomodulation, and B. animalis and L. casei for antagonistic substance production. The knowledge of the different probiotic properties could be used to choice the better microorganism depending on the therapeutic or prophylactic application.     

Effects of MULTIFOLIATE-PINNA, AFILA, TENDRIL-LESS and UNIFOLIATA genes on leafblade architecture in Pisum sativum

In order to dissect the genetic regulation of leafblade morphogenesis, 16 genotypes of pea, constructed by combining the wild-type and mutant alleles of MFP, AF, TL and UNI genes, were quantitatively phenotyped. The morphological features of the three domains of leafblades of four genotypes, unknown earlier, were described. All the genotypes were found to differ in leafblade morphology. It was evident that MFP and TL functions acted as repressor of pinna ramification, in the distal domain. These functions, with and without interaction with UNI, also repressed the ramification of proximal pinnae in the absence of AF function. The expression of MFP and TL required UNI function. AF function was found to control leafblade architecture multifariously. The earlier identified role of AF as a repressor of UNI in the proximal domain was confirmed. Negative control of AF on the UNI-dependent pinna ramification in the distal domain was revealed. It was found that AF establishes a boundary between proximal and distal domains and activates formation of leaflet pinnae in the proximal domain.     

Presence of Rhizobium Etli bv . Phaseoli and Rhizobium Gallicum bv . Gallicum in Egyptian Soils

Seven bean rhizobial strains EBRI 2, 3, 21, 24, 26, 27 and 29 identified as Rhizobium etli, and EBRI 32 identified as Rhizobium gallicum, isolated from Egyptian soils and which nodulated Phaseolus vulgaris efficiently, were subjected to hybridization with a nifH probe in order to estimate the copy number of this gene. Seven strains (EBRI 2, 3, 21, 24, 26, 27 and 29) which were only able to nodulate Phaseolus vulgaris, contained three copies of the nifH gene, consistent with their identification as Rhizobium etli bv. phaseoli. Only one strain (EBRI 32) which nodulated both Phaseolus vulgaris and Leucaena leucocephala, had one copy of nifH gene. This confirmed the classification of this strain as Rhizobium gallicum bv. gallicum.     

Non-specificity of a colorimetric method for the estimation of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine

The colorimetric method of Reissig et al. for the estimation of N-acetylamino sugars, is often used as a specific method for the quantification of the N-acetyl-d-glucosamine. Although this assay is more sensitive to the monomer, it recognizes all soluble N-acetyl-d-glucosamine oligomers. This result is very important because this method is extensively used in biology for the estimation of chitinolytic activity.     

Characterisation of cell wall polysaccharides, arabinogalactans-proteins (AGPs) and phenolics of Cola nitida, Cola acuminata and Garcinia kola seeds

Many Cola plant species are endemic to West and Central Africa. Cola acuminata and Cola nitida are used as masticatory when fresh, while the dried nuts are used for beverages and pharmaceutical purposes in Europe and North America. Garcinia kola seeds, that serve as a substitute for the true kola nuts, are used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases, including colic, headache and liver cirrhosis. Seeds extracts of G. kola are also known for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. To gain information on the chemical properties of the kolas, we have isolated and analyzed cell wall polysaccharides, arabinogalactan-proteins and phenolic substances from the seeds of the three kola species. The sugar composition of cell wall material of C. acuminata, C. nitida and G. kola revealed that Gal (up to 30%), Ara, GalA and Glc as the predominant monosaccharides, representing approximately 90% by mol of the total hydrolysable sugar present in this material. In Ammonium oxalate cell wall fraction, GalA was found to be the major sugar present in all kola species. In the alkali-soluble fraction, there were significant differences in the level of Glc and Gal. The level of Glc was high in C. acuminata and C. nitida while the level of Gal and Xyl were high in C. nitida and G. cola. Isolation and quantification of arabinogalactan-proteins demonstrate that G. kola seeds contained four to eight times more of these proteoglycans than the seeds of the other two species. Finally, analysis of soluble phenolic substances shows that caffeine and catechin were largely represented in C. acumina and C. nitida seeds, with caffeine accounting for 50% of all soluble phenolics. These findings indicate that the three Kola seeds are highly enriched in pectins and proteoglycans and that C. acuminata and C. nitida can be used as a possible source of caffeine and catechin.     

Analysis of urinary N-acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)cysteine, the mercapturic acid derived from N,N-dimethylformamide

Human biotransformation of the industrial solvent N,N-dimethylformamide gives raise to N-acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)cysteine (AMCC) which has the longest half-life (about 23 h) among urinary metabolites of N,N-dimethylformamide. It could be used for monitoring industrial exposure over several workdays, by measuring it in urine samples collected at the end of the working week. This is consistent with the suggestions of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, which established a limit of 40 mg/l for the year 2000. An easy, cheap and user-friendly method has been developed for determination of urinary AMCC. Unlike currently available methods, it requires neither a time-consuming preparation phase nor gas chromatographic analysis with a nitrogen-phosphorus or mass detector. The method uses high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with an UV detector at 436 nm. A 10-μl volume of urine is added to a carbonate–hydrogen carbonate buffer and mixed with a dabsyl chloride solution in acetonitrile. The reaction between AMCC and the reagent is performed at 70°C for 10 min. The ‘dabsylated’ product is stable for at least 12 h. After brief centrifugation, the solution is ready for HPLC analysis using a C₁₈ column (250×4.6 mm, 5 μm). The method is sensitive (detection limit 1.8 mg/l) and specific. It identified urinary AMCC in urine of 40 subjects not exposed to N,N-dimethylformamide with a median concentration of 3.9 mg/l. In urine samples from 20 workers exposed to N,N-dimethylformamide (5–40.8 mg/m³), AMCC concentrations ranged from 16 to 170 mg/l. Industrial toxicology laboratories with limited instrumentation will be able to use it in the biological monitoring of workers exposed to N,N-dimethylformamide.     

Nomenclatural changes resulting from the transfer of tropical African Sarcostemma to Cynanchum ( Apocynaceae : Asclepiadoideae )

Summary  Four species of tropical African Sarcostemma are transferred to Cynanchum together with two subspecies of S. viminale. In addition, Sarcostemma mulanjense is reduced to subspecific rank under C. viminale.     

中国黑粉菌属和利罗黑粉菌属

黑粉菌属是Roussel 1806年建立的,全世界记载有三百余种,主要寄生于禾本科,是经济作物及牧草的重要致病菌·长期以来,对黑粉菌的邢子使用过各种名称,如厚垣孢子,冬孢子及黑粉孢子等.本文采用黑粉孢子以区别锈菌的冬孢子. 芳’(1979)在《中国真菌总汇》中列出黑粉菌属五十种及一个变型.作者经过显微结构和超显微结构的研究,承认其中二十九种为正确名称,八种及一变型为异名,顶黑粉菌(Ustilago acrearus Berk.)由于错拼而被废弃.埃地黑粉菌(Ustilago emodensis Berk.)被转移至利罗粉菌属(Liroa).另有十一种黑粉菌因缺少标本留待今后订正.自1979年以后,杨信东(1983)增加黑粉菌属二种我国新纪录,K.范基和郭林(1986)描述一新种,四种新纪录.在本文中,作者描述一新种:鸢尾蒜黑粉(Ustilago ixiolirii Guo L) ,孢子堆生在蒴果内,不开裂,黑色,粉末状.黑粉孢子球形,近球形,稀椭圆形, 12.5-21×10-21μm,黑褐色,壁厚1-1.Sμm,纹饰脑状.是迄今生在石蒜科植物上唯一黑粉菌的种,其它几种黑粉菌均属条黑粉菌属.本文增加七种我国新纪录.共计四十九种,寄生于六科四十四属植物,主要是禾本科和蓼科.这仅是黑粉菌属研究的初步报告,在全国范围内大量采集黑粉菌标本后,作者相信会有更多新种和我国新纪录被发现.利罗黑粉菌属(Liroa)是从黑粉菌属(Ustaligo)分出的,此属为单种属.     

Characterization of recA genes and recA mutants of Rhizobium meliloti and Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae

Summary DNA fragments carrying the recA genes of Rhizobium meliloti and Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae were isolated by complementing a UV-sensitive recA ^– Escherichia coli strain. Sequence analysis revealed that the coding region of the R. meliloti recA gene consists of 1044 by coding for 348 amino acids whereas the coding region of the R. leguminosarum bv. viciae recA gene has 1053 bp specifying 351 amino acids. The R. meliloti and R. leguminosarum bv. viciae recA genes show 84.8% homology at the DNA sequence level and of 90.1% at the amino acid sequence level. recA ^– mutant strains of both Rhizobium species were constructed by inserting a gentamicin resistance cassette into the respective recA gene. The resulting recA mutants exhibited an increased sensitivity to UV irradiation, were impaired in their ability to perform homologous recombination and showed a slightly reduced growth rate when compared with the respective wild-type strains. The Rhizobium recA strains did not have altered symbiotic nitrogen fixation capacity. Therefore, they represent ideal candidates for release experiments with impaired strains.The accession numbers: X59956 R. LEGUMINOSARUM REC A ALAS-DNA; X59957 R. MELITOTI REC A ALAS-DNA     

Hydroxylation of steroids by Fusarium oxysporum, Exophiala jeanselmei and Ceratocystis paradoxa

The potential of Fusarium oxysporum var. cubense UAMH 9013 to perform steroid biotransformations was reinvestigated using single phase and pulse feed conditions. The following natural steroids served as substrates: dehydroepiandrosterone (1), pregnenolone (2), testosterone (3), progesterone (4), cortisone (5), prednisone (6), estrone (7) and sarsasapogenin (8). The results showed the possible presence of C-7 and C-15 hydroxylase enzymes. This hypothesis was explored using three synthetic androstanes: androstane-3,17-dione (9), androsta-4,6-diene-3,17-dione (10) and 3α,5α-cycloandrost-6-en-17-one (11). These fermentations of non-natural steroids showed that C-7 hydroxylation was as a result of that position being allylic. The evidence also pointed towards the presence of a C-15 hydroxylase enzyme.The eleven steroids were also fed to Exophialajeanselmei var. lecanii-corni UAMH 8783. The results showed that the fungus appears to have very active 5α and 14α-hydroxylase enzymes, and is also capable of carrying out allylic oxidations.Ceratocystis paradoxa UAMH 8784 was grown in the presence of the above-mentioned steroids. The results showed that monooxygenases which effect allylic hydroxylation and Baeyer–Villiger rearrangement were active. However, redox reactions predominated.