The catabolism of cholesterol in vitro. Formation of 3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholestanoic acid from cholesterol by rat liver

1. Both 25-d- and 25-l-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid were isolated from the gall-bladder bile of Crocodylus niloticus. 2. The catabolism of cholesterol to 25-d- and 25-l-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid respectively was studied by using a rat liver preparation in vitro. The results show that rat liver can metabolize cholesterol to both forms of 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid. However, a preference was noted for the formation from [4-(14)C]cholesterol of 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid (25-d), which was isolated from the incubations with a specific radioactivity about four times that of 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid (25-l). 3. The results indicate that 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid is a normal intermediate in the biosynthesis of bile acids from cholesterol in the rat.     

Identification of (22R)-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,22- and (23R)-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,23-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acids in urine from a patient with Zellweger's syndrome

The nature of two novel C27 bile acids present as the taurine conjugates in urine from a patient with Zellweger's syndrome was studied. Bile acids conjugated with taurine were isolated from unconjugated and glycine-conjugated bile acids by means of ion-exchange chromatography. After alkaline hydrolysis of the taurine conjugates, the hydrolysate was acidified and extracted with ether; the extract was again subjected to ion-exchange chromatography to separate neutral from acidic compounds. The neutral fraction, which consisted mainly of two steroidal lactones, was treated with lithium aluminum hydride, and the reduction products were identified as (22R)-5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,22,26-pentol and (23R)-5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,23,26-pentol by direct comparison of their gas-liquid chromatographic behaviors and mass spectral data with those of chemically synthesized authentic samples. Thus, the chemical structure of two native bile acids present in urine from a patient with Zellweger's syndrome should be formulated as (22R)-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,22-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid and (23R)-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,12 alpha,23-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, respectively.     

Identification of 3 alpha, 6 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid in Zellweger's syndrome

In order to confirm the occurrence of 3 alpha, 6 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid in Zellweger's syndrome, the nature of tetrahydroxycholestanoic acids present in a patient with this disease was studied. Urinary bile acids were extracted with a Sep-pak C18 cartridge and methylated after alkaline hydrolysis. The methyl esters were purified by silica gel column chromatography, and the methyl tetrahydroxycholestanoate fraction was analyzed by gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Along with already known side chain hydroxylated derivatives of 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha, 24- and 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha, 26-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acids, three nuclear hydroxylated derivatives of 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid were found. One of them was identified as 3 alpha, 6 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid by direct comparison with the authentic standard which was chemically synthesized from 3 alpha, 6 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic acid by side chain elongation.     

Identification of new C27 and C24 bile acids in the bile of Alligator mississippiensis

Biliary bile acids of Alligator mississippiensis were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry after fractionation by silica gel column chromatography. It was shown that the alligator bile contained 12 C27 bile acids and 8 C24 bile acids. In addition to the C27 bile acids, such as 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 alpha-cholestanoic acid, 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 7 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, and 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-oxo-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, identified previously in the bile of A. mississippiensis, 3 alpha,7 beta-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 3 alpha,7 beta,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 7 beta,12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxo-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,24-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,26-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, and 1 beta,3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid were newly identified. And in addition to the C24 bile acids, such as chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, cholic acid, and allocholic acid, identified previously, deoxycholic acid, 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-chol-22-enoic acid, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 alpha-chol-22-enoic acid, and 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-chol-22-enoic acid were newly identified.     

Metabolism of 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid by rat liver in vivo and in vitro.

The metabolism of 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid was studied in the bile fistula rats and in preparations from rat liver homogenates. In the bile fistula rats, the main products were chenodeoxycholic acid, alpha-muricholic acid, and beta-muricholic acid. Only small amounts of cholic acid were formed. Incubations of 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid with microsomes and NADPH yielded as the main product 3 alpha, 6 beta, 7 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid. The formation of small amounts of 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid was shown. The major product in incubations of 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid with microsomes and the 100,000 g supernatant fluid fortified with ATP was identified as 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 24 xi-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid. This compound was converted into chenodeoxycholic acid and its metabolites in the bile fistula rat.     

Conversion of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha, 26-tetrol into 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid by rabbit liver mitochondria

Rabbit liver mitochondria in the presence of NAD+ were found to catalyze the conversion of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha, 26-tetrol into 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid. The peroxisomal fraction did not catalyze the reaction. Sonication of the mitochondria or dialysis overnight against a hypotonic buffer increased the rate of oxidation twofold. Most of the enzyme activity was recovered in the supernatant fraction after centrifugation at 100,000xg of sonicated mitochondria. 4-Heptylpyrazole, an inhibitor of cytosolic ethanol dehydrogenase, inhibited the mitochondrial formation of 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid by 70%. Disulfiram, an inhibitor of cytosolic acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, did not inhibit the reaction. The role of the mitochondrial dehydrogenase system in bile acid biosynthesis is discussed.     

Oxidation of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha, 12 alpha-triol into 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid by cytochrome P-450(26) from rabbit liver mitochondria

The mitochondrial cytochrome P-450(26), previously shown to catalyze 26-hydroxylation of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-triol, was found to convert this substrate also into 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid. The formation of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid increased with increasing incubation time and enzyme concentration. Addition of NAD+ to the incubation mixture did not increase the formation of the acid. Incubation with 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,26-tetrol, cytochrome P-450(26), ferredoxin, ferredoxin reductase and NADPH resulted in one major product, 3 alpha,7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid. The cytochrome P-450 required both ferredoxin, ferredoxin reductase and NADPH for activity. NADPH could not be replaced by NAD+ or NADP+.     

Structural and biosynthetic studies of a principal bile alcohol, 27-nor-5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,24,25-pentol, in human urine

The stereochemistry at C-24 and C-25 of 27-nor-5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,24 ,25-pentol, a principal bile alcohol in human urine, and its biosynthesis are studied. Four stereoisomers of the C(26)-24,25-pentols were synthesized by reduction with LiAlH(4) of the corresponding epoxides prepared from (24S)- or (24R)-27-nor-5beta-cholest-25-ene-3alpha, 7alpha,12alpha,24-tetrol. The stereochemistries at C-25 were deduced by comparison of the C(26)-24,25-pentols with the oxidation products of (24Z)-27-nor-5beta-cholest-24-ene-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-triol with osmium tetraoxide. On the basis of this assignment, the principal bile alcohol excreted into human and rat urine was determined to be (24S,25R)-27-nor-5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,24,25-pentol, accompanied by a lesser amount of (24R, 25R)-isomer. To elucidate the biosynthesis of the C(26)-24,25-pentol, a putative intermediate, 3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-27-nor-5beta-cholestan-24-one, derived from 3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-24-oxo-5beta-cholestanoic acid by decarboxylation during the side-chain oxidation of 3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid, was incubated with rat liver homogenates. The 24-oxo-bile alcohol could be efficiently reduced to yield mainly (24R)-27-nor-5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,24-tetrol. If a 25R-hydroxylation of the latter steroid occurs, it should lead to formation of (24S,25R)-C(26)-24,25-pentol. Now it has appeared that a major bile alcohol excreted into human urine is (24S,25R)-27-nor-5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha, 24, 25-pentol, which might be derived from 3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-27-nor-5beta-cholestan-24-one via (24R)-27-nor-5beta-cholestane-3alpha, 7alpha,12alpha,24-tetrol.     

Stereospecific formation of (24E)-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholest-24-en-26-oic acid and (24R,25S)-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,24-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid from either (25R)- or (25S)-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid by rat liver homogenate

Studies of the stereochemistry of the intermediates, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholest-24-en-26-oic acid and 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,24-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid, in the biosynthetic sequence between 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid and cholic acid have been undertaken. (25R)- or (25S)-3 alpha,7 alpha, 12 alpha-Trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid was incubated with rat liver homogenates. The reaction products were converted to p-bromophenacyl ester derivatives and the esters were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. By comparison with authentic samples of two (24E)- and (24Z)-isomers of the alpha, beta-unsaturated acid and of four isomers at C-24 and C-25 of the beta-hydroxy acid, (24E)-3 alpha,7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid and (24R,25S)-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,24-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid were found to be formed from either (25R)- or (25S)-3 alpha,7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid. No formation of the (24Z)-isomer of the trihydroxycholestenoic acid or the other three isomers of the tetrahydroxycholestanoic acid was detected. The findings are discussed in relation to the assumed pathway for side chain cleavage in cholic acid biosynthesis.     

Clofibrate does not induce peroxisomal 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoyl coenzyme A oxidation in rat liver. Evidence that this reaction is catalyzed by an enzyme system different from that of peroxisomal acyl-coenzyme A oxidation

The effect of clofibrate treatment of rats on the peroxisomal conversion in vitro of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid into cholic acid in liver fractions has been investigated. No increase in the activity was observed after clofibrate treatment. In contrast, peroxisomal palmitate oxidation and palmitoyl-CoA oxidase activity increased several fold. It is concluded that the enzyme system responsible for the oxidative cleavage of the steroid side chain in bile acid formation is different from the enzyme system involved in the peroxisomal beta-oxidation of long chain fatty acids.     

Synthesis of coenzyme A esters of 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy- and 3alpha,7alpha-dihydroxy-24-oxo-5beta-cholestan-26-oic acids for the study of beta-oxidation in bile acid biosynthesis

3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-Trihydroxy- and 3alpha,7alpha-dihydroxy-24-oxo-5beta-cholestan-26-oyl CoAs were chemically synthesized by the conventional method for the study of side chain cleavage in bile acid biosynthesis. 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-Triformyloxy- and 3alpha,7alpha-diformyloxy-5beta-cholan-24-als were initially subjected to the Reformatsky reaction with methyl alpha-bromopropionate, and the products were then converted into methyl 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-triformyloxy- and 3alpha,7alpha-diformyloxy-24-oxo-5beta-cholestan-26-oates. Protection by acetalization of the 24-oxo-group of these methyl esters with ethylene glycol, followed by alkaline hydrolysis, gave 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy- and 3alpha,7alpha-dihydroxy-24,24-ethylenedioxy-5beta-cholestan-26-oic acids. These acids were condensed with coenzyme A by a mixed anhydride method, and the resulting CoA esters were treated with 4M-hydrocholic acid to remove the protecting group to give 24-oxo-5beta-cholestanoic acid CoA esters. The chromatographic behaviors of these CoA esters were also investigated.     

Synthesis of 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid from 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid: configuration in the bile of Alligator mississippiensis.

Synthesis of 25R- and 25S-diastereoisomers of 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid from 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid is described. The 25S-diastereoisomer of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan- 26-oic acid was obtained by vigorous hydrolysis of the bile of Alligator mississippiensis followed by repeated crystallization of the hydrolysate, and the 25R-diastereoisomer was isolated by hydrolysis of the bile salts in bile of A mississippiensis with rat feces. Acetylation of the 25R- or 25S-diastereoisomer of methyl 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid under controlled conditions yielded the corresponding 3 alpha,7 alpha-diacetate in approximately 70% yield. The diacetate was quantitatively oxidized to methyl 3 alpha,7 alpha-diacetoxy-12-oxo-5 beta-cholestan-26-oate, which was converted into the 12-tosylhydrazone in approximately 58% yield. Reduction of the tosylhydrazone with sodium borohydride in acetic acid yielded the 25R- or the 25S-diastereoisomer of 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid as the major product. Purification via column chromatography yielded the pure diastereoisomers in approximately 25% overall yield. The two diastereoisomers were resolved on thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. When the bile of A mississippiensis was hydrolyzed with rat fecal bacteria, the 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid isolated via chromatographic purification was shown to be the 25R-diastereoisomer.     

Synthesis of potential cholelitholytic agents: 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-7 beta-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid, 3 alpha,7 beta,12 alpha-trihydroxy-7 alpha-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid, and 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7 xi-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid

This report describes the chemical synthesis of six new bile acid analogs, namely, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-7 beta-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid (7 beta-methyl-cholic acid), 3 alpha,7 beta,12 alpha-trihydroxy-7 alpha-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid (7 alpha-methyl-ursocholic acid), 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7 xi-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid (7 xi-methyl-deoxycholic acid), 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-methyl-5 beta-chol-7-en-24-oic acid, 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-methyl-5 beta-chol-6-en-24-oic acid, and 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-methylene-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid. The carboxyl group of the starting material 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-oxo-5 beta-cholanoic acid was protected by conversion to its oxazoline derivative. A Grignard reaction of the bile acid oxazoline with CH3MgI followed by acid hydrolysis gave two epimeric trihydroxy-7-methyl-cholanoic acids and three dehydration products. The latter were purified by silica gel column chromatography and silica gel-AgNO3 column chromatography of their methyl ester derivatives. Catalytic hydrogenation of 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-methyl-5 beta-chol-6-en-24-oic acid and 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7-methylene-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid gave 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-7 xi-methyl-5 beta-cholanoic acid. The configuration of the 7-methyl groups and the position of the double bonds were assigned by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties of the new compounds. These compounds were synthesized for the purpose of exploring new and potentially more effective cholelitholytic agents. The hydrophilic bile acids 7 beta-methyl-cholic acid and 7 alpha-methyl-ursocholic acid are of particular interest because they should be resistant to bacterial 7-dehydroxylation.     

Biosynthesis of cholic acid in rat liver. 24-Hydroxylation of 3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid.

Conversion of 3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-[7beta-3H]cholestanoic acid into 3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha, 24-tetrahydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid in rat liver was catalyzed either by the mitochondrial fraction fortified with the 100,000 times g supernatant fluid or the microsomal fraction fortified with 100,000 times g supernatant fluid and ATP. The microsomal system was more active than the mitochondrial system. With the microsomal system the rate of reaction was considerably faster with free 3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid as substrate than with the corresponding coenzyme A ester. Addition of coenzyme A inhibited the activity. Addition of cofactors other than ATP and coenzyme A did not markedly influence the reaction. The 100,000 times g supernatant fluid could be substituted with a protein fraction obtained by ammonium sulfate precipitation and Sephadex chromatography of the 100,000 times g supernatant fluid. The reaction was not catalyzed by a mixed function oxidase since there was no incorporation of 18O into the product when the reaction was performed in an atmosphere containing 18O2. On the other hand, oxygen may be obligatory since there was almost complete inhibition when the reaction was performed in an atmosphere consisting of nitrogen. Carbon monoxide did not inhibit the reaction. One atom of deuterium was incorporated into the product when the reaction was performed in a medium containing deuterated water. It was concluded that microsomal 24-hydroxylation of 3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid involves the combined action of a desaturase and a hydratase. The reaction catalyzed by the hydratase appears to be stereospecific since the 24alpha epimer of 3alpha, 7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid was the predominant product. In contrast to the microsomal system, the mitochondrial system was not stimulated by the addition of ATP and was not inhibited by coenzyme A. The coenzyme A ester of 3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid was 24-hydroxylated more efficiently than the free acid.     

Subcellular localization of 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy- and 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoyl-coenzyme A ligase(s) in rat liver

Liver peroxisomes from both rat and humans have previously been shown to contain enzymes that catalyze the oxidative cleavage of the C27-steroid side chain in the formation of bile acids. It has not been clear, however, whether the initial step, formation of the CoA-esters of the 5 beta-cholestanoic acids, also occurs in these organelles. In the present work the subcellular localization of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoyl-CoA (THCA-CoA) ligase (THCA-CoA synthetase) and of 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoyl-CoA (DHCA-CoA) ligase in rat liver has been investigated. Main subcellular fractions and peroxisome-rich density gradient fractions from rat liver were incubated with THCA or DHCA, CoA, ATP, and Mg2+. Formation of THCA-CoA and DHCA-CoA was determined after high pressure liquid chromatography of the incubation extracts. The microsomal fraction contained the highest specific (and also relative specific) activity both for the formation of THCA-CoA and DHCA-CoA. The rates of THCA-CoA formation were further increased from 124-159 nmol/mg.hr-1 in crude microsomal fractions to 184-220 nmol/mg.hr-1 when studied in purified rough endoplasmic reticulum fractions. Formation of THCA-CoA in peroxisomal fractions prepared in Nycodenz density gradients could be accounted for by a small contamination (3-7%) by microsomal protein. The distribution of THCA-CoA ligase was different from that of palmitoyl-CoA ligase that was found to be localized also to the peroxisomal fractions.     

Vulpecholic acid (1 alpha, 3 alpha, 7 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid): a novel bile acid of a marsupial, Trichosurus vulpecula (Lesson)

A novel trihydroxylated C24 bile acid was isolated from the gallbladder bile of the Australian opossum, Trichosurus vulpecula (Lesson). This acid, for which the name vulpecholic acid is proposed, was identified as 1 alpha, 3 alpha, 7 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic. The structure proof included mass spectral and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of all crucial derivatives obtained by: oxidation of the methyl ester to a triketone with the enolizable 1,3-diketone function; methylation of this triketone to two isomeric methyl enol ethers; and reductive removal of oxygen functions from this triketone to give 5 beta-cholan-24-oic and 7-oxo-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acids. Vulpecholic acid was found in the bile in the unconjugated form; it accounted for more than 60% of the solid bile material. The marsupial T. vulpecula is the first example of a mammal secreting a 1 alpha-hydroxylated bile acid as well as the first example of a mammal secreting the major bile acid in a free form.     

Participation of two members of the very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase family in bile acid synthesis and recycling

Bile acids are synthesized de novo in the liver from cholesterol and conjugated to glycine or taurine via a complex series of reactions involving multiple organelles. Bile acids secreted into the small intestine are efficiently reabsorbed and reutilized. Activation by thioesterification to CoA is required at two points in bile acid metabolism. First, 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid, the 27-carbon precursor of cholic acid, must be activated to its CoA derivative before side chain cleavage via peroxisomal beta-oxidation. Second, reutilization of cholate and other C24 bile acids requires reactivation prior to re-conjugation. We reported previously that homolog 2 of very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (VLCS) can activate cholate (Steinberg, S. J., Mihalik, S. J., Kim, D. G., Cuebas, D. A., and Watkins, P. A. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 15605-15608). We now show that this enzyme also activates chenodeoxycholate, the secondary bile acids deoxycholate and lithocholate, and 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoic acid. In contrast, VLCS activated 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestanoate, but did not utilize any of the C24 bile acids as substrates. We hypothesize that the primary function of homolog 2 is in the reactivation and recycling of C24 bile acids, whereas VLCS participates in the de novo synthesis pathway. Results of in situ hybridization, topographic orientation, and inhibition studies are consistent with the proposed roles of these enzymes in bile acid metabolism.     

Bile salts of the coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae

Bile salts of the coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae, Smith, have been analyzed and shown to have three bile alcohols, latimerol, 5 alpha-cyprinol, and 5 alpha-cholestane-3 beta, 7 alpha,-12 alpha,25,26-pentol, two C24 bile acids, chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid, one C26 bile acid, probably 3 beta, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-27-nor-5 alpha-cholestan-26-oic acid, and two C27 bile acids, 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 alpha-cholestan-26-oic acid and 3 beta,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 alpha-cholestan-26-oic acid as determined by gas-liquid chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.     

Configuration at C-25 in 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid by X-ray crystallography

The two diastereoisomers at carbon-25 of 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid, a key intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway of cholic acid, were obtained in pure form by a combination of fractional crystallization and thin-layer chromatography. The configuration at C-25 of these two isomers was established by X-ray crystallography as 25S for one diastereoisomer (mp 199-201 degrees C) and 25R for the other (mp 180-182 degrees C). These findings permit us to determine, unequivocally, the configuration of this naturally occurring C27-bile acid in man and other animals and to establish the stereospecificity of the microsomal and mitochondrial omega-hydroxylation pathway for the side-chain oxidation of cholesterol to bile acids.     

Identification of a novel bile acid in swans, tree ducks, and geese: 3alpha,7alpha,15alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid

By HPLC, a taurine-conjugated bile acid with a retention time different from that of taurocholate was found to be present in the bile of the black-necked swan, Cygnus melanocoryphus. The bile acid was isolated and its structure, established by (1)H and (13)C NMR and mass spectrometry, was that of the taurine N-acyl amidate of 3alpha,7alpha,15alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid. The compound was shown to have chromatographic and spectroscopic properties that were identical to those of the taurine conjugate of authentic 3alpha,7alpha,15alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid, previously synthesized by us from ursodeoxycholic acid. By HPLC, the taurine conjugate of 3alpha,7alpha,15alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid was found to be present in 6 of 6 species in the subfamily Dendrocygninae (tree ducks) and in 10 of 13 species in the subfamily Anserinae (swans and geese) but not in other subfamilies in the Anatidae family. It was also not present in species from the other two families of the order Anseriformes. 3alpha,7alpha,15alpha-Trihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid is a new primary bile acid that is present in the biliary bile acids of swans, tree ducks, and geese and may be termed 15alpha-hydroxy-chenodeoxycholic acid.