Synthesis of new spiro-steroids,II: Steroid-17-spiro-oxazolidinones

New, potential aldosterone blocking 17-spiro-oxazolidinone derivatives with androstane, estrane and 13β-ethyl-gonane ring system were synthesized. 17S-Spiro-oxiranes were used as starting compounds and the oxazolidinone ring was built up in different ways. All compounds but one were devoid of considerable endocrine activities. 3-Oxo-13β-ethyl-gona- -4,9(10), 11-triene-17S-spiro-5′-(2′-oxo-3′-methyl)oxazol-idine shows significant antiandrogen activity on s.c., but none on p.o. administration.     

New D-modified androstane derivatives as aromatase inhibitors.

Starting from a 16-oximino derivative of 5-androstene the newly-synthesized 16-oximino-17-hydroxy-17-substituted derivatives 2-4 gave by the Beckmann fragmentation reaction the corresponding D-seco derivatives 6-9. Besides, in the case of the 17-hydroxy-17-methyl-16-oximino derivative 2, as a result of the rearrangement, the hydrolysis product 5 of the 16-oximino group with the opposite configuration at the C-17 was obtained. By the Oppenauer oxidation and/or by dehydration of 7 with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ), the corresponding derivatives 12, 13, and 14 were obtained. The structures of 6 and 12 were unambiguously proved by the appropriate X-ray structural analysis. Kinetic analysis for anti-aromatase activity showed that compound 12 expressed the highest inhibition in the denucleated rat ovarian fraction in comparison to other androstene derivatives (IC(50) was 0.42 microM). In comparison to aminoglutethimide (AG) activity, it was 3.5 times lower. The inhibition was competitive, with K(i) of 0.27 microM. Introduction of additional units of unsaturation (compounds 13 and 14) in D-seco derivatives did not increase anti-aromatase activity.     

Antiprogestational agents. The synthesis of 7-alkyl steroidal ketones with anti-implantational and antidecidual activity

A series of 7α- and 7β- alkyl derivatives of steroidal 4-en- and 5-en-3-ones were prepared by 1,6-conjugate addition of organocopper reagents to various steroidal 4,6-dien-3-ones of the androstane, estrane and gonane series. Biological study of these and related compounds revealed that 17β-hydroxy-7α-methyl-5-androsten-3-one (2), 17β-hydroxy-7α-methyl-5-estren-3-one acetate and 17β-hydroxy-7α-methyl-4-estren-3-one acetate had significant anti-implantational and antidecidual activities. The contragestative effects were associated with the latter antihormonal properties, and not with the androgenicity of these compounds.     

Synthetic approach to analogues of 19-norsteroids with an acyclic side chain

Racemic 14 beta-hydroxy-3-methoxy-8 alpha,9 alpha-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-17-one (I), obtained by total synthesis, was converted into a derivative with alkoxycarbonyl-ethylenic side chain, rac-(20E)-21-methoxycarbonyl-19-nor-8 alpha,9 alpha-pregna- 1,3,5(10),20-tetraene-3,14 beta-diol 3-methyl ether (XII) using two Wittig reactions. Analogous derivatives of 5 alpha-androstane were prepared as synthetic models. In the estrane series the stereochemistry of attachement of the side chain in position 17, biological activity of some compounds, and their chromatographic properties were investigated.     

Chemical synthesis of 16beta-propylaminoacyl derivatives of estradiol and their inhibitory potency on type 1 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and binding affinity on steroid receptors

The 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17beta-HSDs) are members of a family of enzymes that catalyze the interconversion of weakly active sexual hormones (ketosteroids) and potent hormones (17beta-hydroxysteroids). Among the known isoforms of 17beta-HSD, the type 1 catalyzes the NAD(P)H-mediated reduction of estrone (E(1)) to estradiol (E(2)), a predominant mitogen for the breast cancer cells. Therefore, the inhibition of this particular enzyme is a logical approach to reduce the concentration of estradiol in breast tumors. To develop inhibitors of type 1 17beta-HSD activity, we hypothesized that molecules containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic components should be interesting candidates for interacting with both the steroid binding domain and some amino acid residues of the cofactor binding domain of the enzyme. Firstly, a conveniently protected 16beta-(3-aminopropyl)-E(2) derivative was synthesized from commercially available E(1). Then, a representative of all class of NHBoc-protected amino acids (basic, acid, aromatic, aliphatic, hydroxylated) were coupled using standard procedures to the amino group of the precursor. Finally, cleavage of all protecting groups was performed in a single step to generate a series of 16beta-propylaminoacyl derivatives of E(2). The enzymatic screening revealed that none of the novel compounds can inhibit the reductive activity of type 1 17beta-HSD. On the other hand, all of these E(2) derivatives did not show any significant binding affinity on four steroid receptors including the estrogen receptor. Additional efforts aimed at improving the inhibitory potency of these steroidal derivatives on type 1 17beta-HSD without providing estrogenic activities is under investigation using a combinatorial chemistry approach.     

Synthesis, biochemical evaluation and rationalisation of the inhibitory activity of a range of 4-hydroxyphenyl ketones as potent and specific inhibitors of the type 3 of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD3)

We report the synthesis and biochemical evaluation of a number of 4-hydroxyphenyl ketones as potential inhibitors of the enzyme 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD). In particular, we evaluated compounds against the catalysis of the conversion of androstenedione (AD) to testosterone (T) [17beta-HSD type 3 (17beta-HSD3)], furthermore, in an effort to determine the specificity of our compounds, we evaluated the ability of the compounds to inhibit the catalysis of the conversion of estrone (E1) to estradiol (E2) [17beta-HSD type 1 (17beta-HSD1)] as well as the conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to AD [by 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD)]. The results of our study suggest that the synthesised compounds are, in general, able to inhibit 17beta-HSD3 whilst being weak inhibitors of 17beta-HSD1. Against 3beta-HSD, we discovered that all of the synthesised compounds were weak inhibitors (all were found to possess less than 50% inhibition at [I]=500 microM). More specifically, we discovered that 1-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-nonan-1-one (15) was the most potent against 17beta-HSD3 (IC(50)=2.9 microM) whilst possessing poor inhibitory activity against 17beta-HSD1 ( approximately 36% inhibitory activity against this reaction at [I]=100 microM) and less than 10% inhibition for the conversion of DHEA to AD. We have therefore provided good lead compounds in the design and synthesis of novel non-steroidal inhibitors of 17beta-HSD3.     

Polyoxygenated sterols and triterpenes: chemical structures and biological activities

Cholesterol and other sterols are precursors of many hormones of vertebrates (pregnane, androstane, estrane derivatives), invertebrates (ecdysteroids) and even of plants (brassinoids). The normal biosynthetic processes which begin by a series of oxidations lead to a family of compounds, some of which exhibit a wide variety of biological activities. Among the latter, those well-established are their inhibitory effect on the biosynthesis of cholesterol in mammalian cells, their toxic effect on tumor cells and their ability to modify some immunological responses. None of the members of this family has all of the activities just mentioned. The intensity of the effect depends markedly upon the specific structure of each compound.     

Evaluation of 7-hydroxy-flavones as inhibitors of oestrone and oestradiol biosynthesis

A series of 4-aryl substituted 7-hydroxy-flavones were prepared using the three-step Baker-Venkataraman synthesis in good overall yields. The flavones were all evaluated in vitro for inhibitory activity against aromatase (P450AROM, CYP19), using human placental microsomes, and for inhibitory activity against 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17beta-HSD-1) using human placental cytosol. The phenyl, 4-fluoro-phenyl and 4-bromo-phenyl derivatives displayed moderate inhibitory activity against P450AROM (IC50 17.2, 13.5 and 10.1 microM, respectively), none of the flavones, including the standard genistein, displayed any inhibitory activity against 17beta-HSD type 1 at 100 microM concentration.     

The unusual estrogen-binding protein (UEBP) of male rat liver: structural determinants of ligands

The unusual estrogen-binding protein (UEBP) found in a male rat liver is a sex dependent protein which differs from other known receptor and transport proteins by the high lability of its complexes with estradiol (E2) and also the unique specificity of affinity for hormones. In this work values of relative binding affinity (RBA) of the UEBP for 57 steroids and their analogs were determined. The affinity of steroids was characterised by the amount of the unlabeled compound needed for 50% inhibition of [3H]-E2 binding with the UEBP. A number of derivatives of estrane and androstane possess an ability to interact with this protein, in contrast to the derivatives of pregnane, stilbene and triphenylethane. Characterized by RBA values, natural steroids are found to have the following order: estriol larger than or equal to E2 greater than 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone = 2 alpha-hydroxytestosterone greater than 16-epiestriol greater than or equal to estetrol greater than or equal to 17-epiestriol greater than or equal to 2-methoxyestradiol greater than or equal to 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol greater than or equal to estrone greater than testosterone greater than or equal to 2 beta-hydroxytestosterone greater than 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone. Affinity of estrogens and androgens for the UEBP diminishes abruptly after removal of 3- and 17-hydroxy groups, masking of these by ether bonds or changing of 17 beta-hydroxyl to 17 alpha. All the investigated 17 oxo-C19-steroids, 5 beta-derivatives of testosterone, its 6 beta- and 16 alpha-hydroxy metabolites as well as 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol and 19-nortestosterone exhibit no essential affinity for the protein. On the basis of the results obtained it is suggested that the binding sites for estrogens and androgens in the UEBP molecule overlap but do not completely coincide.     

20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase of neonatal pig testis: 3 alpha/beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities catalyzed by highly purified enzyme

Pig testicular 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 beta-HSD) has also 3 alpha- and 3 beta-HSD (3 alpha/beta-HSD) activities. The purified 20 beta-HSD preparation from neonatal pig testes could catalyze the conversion of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) in the presence of beta-NADPH to 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol and 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol at the ratio of 4:3, and the specific 3 alpha/beta-HSD activity of 20 beta-HSD for 5 alpha-DHT was about 10 or 15 times larger than the 20 beta-HSD activities for 17 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone) or progesterone, respectively. The result indicates that the testicular 20 beta-HSD has high 3 alpha(axial, 3R)- and 3 beta(equatorial, 3S)-HSD activity. The testicular 20 beta-HSD could catalyze the reversible conversion of various 5 alpha- or 5 beta-dihydrosteroids which have a 3-carbonyl or 3-hydroxyl group with beta-NADP(H) as the preferred cofactor. The enzyme transferred the 4-proS hydrogen of NADPH to the 5 alpha-DHT for both 3 alpha- and 3 beta-hydroxylation and it was the same as the 20 beta-hydroxylation of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. Although the 3 alpha/beta-HSD activity has been known to be present in 3 alpha,20 beta-HSD of Streptomyces hydrogenans, the enzymological properties for 3 alpha/beta-HSD activity catalyzed by testicular 20 beta-HSD were different from the properties for 3 alpha/beta-HSD activity catalyzed by prokaryotic 3 alpha, 20 beta-HSD with respect to the specificity of the catalytic reaction and the cofactor requirement.     

Synthesis, biochemical evaluation and rationalisation of the inhibitory activity of a range of phenyl alkyl imidazole-based compounds as potent inhibitors of the enzyme complex 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450(17alpha))

The cytochrome P450 enzyme, 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450(17alpha)), is a potential target in hormone-dependent cancers. We report the synthesis, biochemical evaluation and rationalisation of the inhibitory activity of a number of azole-based compounds as inhibitors of the two components of P450(17alpha), i.e., 17alpha-hydroxylase (17alpha-OHase) and 17,20-lyase (lyase). The results suggest that the imidazole-based compounds are highly potent inhibitors of both components, with N-7-phenyl heptyl imidazole (21) (IC(50)=0.32 microM against 17alpha-OHase and IC(50)=0.10 microM against lyase) and N-8-phenyl octyl imidazole (23) (IC(50)=0.25 microM against 17alpha-OHase and IC(50)=0.21 microM against lyase) being the two most potent compounds within the current study, in comparison to ketoconazole (KTZ) (IC(50)=3.76 microM against 17alpha-OHase and IC(50)=1.66 microM against lyase). Furthermore, consideration of the inhibitory activity against the two components show that the compounds tested are less potent towards the 17alpha-OHase component, a desirable property in the development of novel inhibitors of P450(17alpha). Structure-activity relationship determination of the range of compounds synthesised suggests that logP (log of the partition coefficient) is a key physicochemical factor in determining the overall inhibitory activity. In an effort to determine the viability of these compounds becoming potential drug candidates as well as to show specificity of these compounds, we undertook the biochemical evaluation of the synthesised compounds against two isozymes of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase [namely type 1 (17beta-HSD1) and type 3 (17beta-HSD3)] and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD). Consideration of the inhibitory activity possessed by the compounds considered within the current study against 3beta-HSD, 17beta-HSD1 and 17beta-HSD3 shows that there is no clear structure-activity relationship and that the compounds appear to possess similar inhibitory activity against both 3beta-HSD and 17beta-HSD3 whilst against 17beta-HSD1, the compounds appear to possess poor inhibitory activity at [I]=100 microM. Indeed, two of the most potent inhibitors of P450(17alpha), (compounds 21 and 23), were found to possess relatively good levels of inhibition against the three enzymes-compound 21 was found to possess approximately 32%, approximately 21% and approximately 37% inhibition whilst compound 23 was found to possess approximately 38%, approximately 30% and approximately 28% inhibition against 3beta-HSD, 17beta-HSD1 and 17beta-HSD3 respectively. We therefore concluded that the azole-based compounds synthesised within the current study are not suitable for further consideration as potential drug candidates due to their lack of specificity.     

Inhibition of type 2 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase by estradiol derivatives bearing a lactone on the D-ring: structure-activity relationships

The peripheral conversion of steroid precursors into biologically active forms can be a major source of steroid synthesis, and these steroids support the growth of hormone-dependent diseases. The 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) enzyme family is involved in the biosynthesis of active steroids and its inhibition constitutes an interesting approach for treating estrogen- and androgen-dependent cancers. We previously found that a compound formed by the introduction of a spiro-gamma-lactone at position 17 of estradiol (E2) produces a significant inhibition of type 2 17beta-HSD. To optimize the inhibitory potency of such compounds, we synthesized a series of estradiol derivatives bearing a lactone on the D-ring and tested their ability to inhibit the type 2 17beta-HSD transformation of 4-androstenedione into testosterone. The results of our structure-activity relationship study determined the importance of the 17beta-orientation of the oxygen atom. Indeed, the 17beta-O-isomer of spiro-gamma-lactone-E2 is a much more potent inhibitor than the 17alpha-O-analog (respectively 85 and 9% of inhibition at 1 microM). The carbonyl function is essential since the percentage of inhibition shifts from 85 to 30%, 15, or 3%, when the carbonyl group is transformed into a hydroxyl, a methoxy or a methylene (cycloether) group, respectively. Our results lead us to realize the importance of the spirolactone versus the C17beta-O/C16beta lactone (respectively 32 and 2% of inhibition at 0.1 microM, for the same size of lactone ring). The optimal size for the spirolactone was also established to be six members. All the types of substituents (methyl, dimethyl, allyl, propyl, and methoxycarbonyl) that we added on the spiro-delta-lactone moiety decreased the inhibitory activity, suggesting steric restrictions for the space that can be occupied in proximity of the spiro-delta-lactone functionality. 17-(Spiro-delta-lactone)-E2, compound 6, was thus the most potent inhibitor of type 2 17beta-HSD with a K(i) value of 29 +/- 5 nM. This compound reversibly inhibits type 2 17beta-HSD in a non-competitive manner.     

Spironolactone-related inhibitors of type II 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: chemical synthesis, receptor binding affinities, and proliferative/antiproliferative activities.

The family of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17beta-HSDs) catalyzes the formation and inactivation of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol (E2), thus playing a crucial role in the regulation of active steroid hormones in target tissues. Among the five known 17beta-HSD enzymes, type II catalyzes the oxidation of E2 into estrone (E1), T into androstenedione, DHT into androstanedione, and 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone into progesterone. Specific inhibitors are thus an interesting means to study the regulation and to probe the structure of type II 17beta-HSD. In this context, we have efficiently synthesized a series of 7alpha-thioalkyl and 7alpha-thioaryl derivatives of spironolactone that inhibit type II 17beta-HSD. These new C19-steroidal inhibitors possess two important pharmacophores, namely 17-spiro-gamma-lactone and a bulky side-chain at the 7alpha-position. It was found that a para-substituted benzylthio group at the 7alpha-position enhances the inhibitory potency of spironolactone derivatives on type II 17beta-HSD. In fact, the compound with a para-hydroxy-benzylthio group showed an IC50 value of 0.5 microM against type II 17beta-HSD, whereas the compound with a para-[2-(1-piperidinyl)-ethoxy]-benzylthio group inhibited this enzyme with an IC50 value of 0.7 microM. The latter inhibitor is more selective than the former because it did not show any inhibitory potency against P450 aromatase as well as any affinity towards four steroid receptors (AR, PR, GR, ER). As a result, this inhibitor did not show any proliferative effect on androgen-sensitive Shionogi cells and estrogen-sensitive ZR-75-1 cells. These findings contribute to a better knowledge of the structure of type II 17beta-HSD and offer an interesting tool to study the regulation of this enzyme in several biological systems.     

Progestins and breast cancer

In the last years there has been an extraordinary development in the synthesis of new progestins. These compounds are classified, in agreement with their structure, in various groups which include progesterone, retroprogesterones, 17-hydroxyprogesterones, 19-norprogesterones, 17-hydroxyprogesterone derivatives, androstane and estrane derivatives. The action of progestins is a function of many factors: its structure, affinity to the progesterone receptor or to other steroid receptors, the target tissue considered, the biological response, the experimental conditions, dose, and metabolic transformation. The information on the action of progestins in breast cancer patients is very limited. Positive response with the progestins: medroxyprogesterone acetate and megestrol acetate was obtained in post-menopausal patients with advanced breast cancer. However, extensive information on the effect of progestins was obtained in in vitro studies using hormone-dependent and hormone-independent human mammary cancer cell lines. It was demonstrated that in the hormone-dependent breast cancer cells, various progestins (nomegestrol acetate, tibolone, medrogestone, promegestone) are potent sulfatase inhibitory agents. The progestins can also involve the inhibition of mRNA of this enzyme. In another series of studies it was also demonstrated that various progestins are very active in inhibiting the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase for the conversion of estrone to estradiol. More recently it was observed that the progestins promegestone or medrogestone stimulate the sulfotransferase for the formation of estrogen sulfates. Consequently, the blockage in the formation of estradiol via sulfatase, or the stimulatory effect on sulfotransferase activity, by progestins can open interesting and new possibilities in clinical applications in breast cancer.     

Characterization of type 12 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, an isoform of type 3 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase responsible for estradiol formation in women

A novel 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) chronologically named type 12 17beta-HSD (17beta-HSD12), that transforms estrone (E1) into estradiol (E2) was identified by sequence similarity with type 3 17beta-HSD (17beta-HSD3) that catalyzes the formation of testosterone from androstenedione in the testis. Both are encoded by large genes spanning 11 exons, most of them showing identical size. Using human embryonic kidney-293 cells stably expressing 17beta-HSD12, we have found that the enzyme catalyzes selectively and efficiently the transformation of E1 into E2, thus identifying its role in estrogen formation, in contrast with 17beta-HSD3, the enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the androgen testosterone in the testis. Using real-time PCR to quantify mRNA in a series of human tissues, the expression levels of 17beta-HSD12 as well as two other enzymes that perform the same transformation of E1 into E2, namely type 1 17beta-HSD and type 7 17beta-HSD, it was found that 17beta-HSD12 mRNA is the most highly expressed in the ovary and mammary gland. To obtain a better understanding of the structural basis of the difference in substrate specificity between 17beta-HSD3 and 17beta-HSD12, we have performed tridimensional structure modelization using the coordinates of type 1 17beta-HSD and site-directed mutagenesis. The results show the potential role of bulky amino acid F234 in 17beta-HSD12 that blocks the entrance of androstenedione. Overall, our results strongly suggest that 17beta-HSD12 is the major estrogenic 17beta-HSD responsible for the conversion of E1 to E2 in women, especially in the ovary, the predominant source of estrogens before menopause.     

Steroidal carbonitriles as potential aromatase inhibitors

Estrogens, responsible for the growth of hormone-dependant breast cancer are biosynthesized from androgens involving aromatase enzyme in the last rate limiting step. Inhibition of aromatase is an efficient approach for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Novel 4-phenylthia derivatives (2, 3 and 7) have been synthesized as aromatase inhibitors. The synthesized compounds (2, 3 and 7) exhibited noticeable enzyme inhibiting activity. Kinetics study of these compounds (2, 3, and 7) showed negligible inhibition of the enzyme under conditions conducive for irreversible inhibition of the enzyme. Introduction of unsaturation at C-4, C-1 & 4 or C-4 & 6 (compounds 5, 9 and 11) was observed to not be an effective strategy for entrancing aromatase inhibiting activity in 17-oxo-16β-carbonitrile derivatives. The D-seco derivatives (13-15 and 17) having unsaturation at C-4, C-1 & 4 or C-4 & 6 along with carbonitrile function in ring-D showed complete loss of aromatase inhibiting activity.     

Lipase-catalysed deacetylation of androstane and pregnane derivatives: influence of ring D substitution

A series of acetoxy derivatives of androstane and pregnane was deacetylated in organic solvents by microbial lipases. The best results were obtained with lipase from Candida antarctica (CAL B), Candida rugosa (CRL) and Pseudomonas sp. (PSL). In some derivatives, CAL B and CRL showed a regioselective behaviour towards the removal of the 3β- or 16/16β-acetyl group. The results of the enzymatic deacetylation of pregnanes and androstanes substituted by various groups containing an sp²-hybridised C-atom in ring D could suggest that CAL B activity seems to be conditioned by the occurrence of a polar carbon double bond in this part of the steroid skeleton. Ten new steroid derivatives were obtained through this approach.     

C6-(N,N-butyl-methyl-heptanamide) derivatives of estrone and estradiol as inhibitors of type 1 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: Chemical synthesis and biological evaluation

A series of estrone and estradiol derivatives having an N-butyl,methyl heptanamide side chain at C6-position were synthesized, tested as inhibitors of type 1 17beta-HSD and assessed for their possible estrogenic activity. A better type 1 17beta-HSD inhibition was obtained for the 6beta-side chain orientation over 6alpha; the C17-alcohols are more potent inhibitors than the corresponding ketones; introducing a 2-methoxy group decreased the inhibitory potency; and the replacement of a C-S bond by a C-C bond in the C6beta-side chain is not detrimental to inhibition. Interestingly, the new inhibitors were also found less estrogenic than the lead compound in two breast cancer cell lines, T-47D and MCF-7.     

Some coumarins and triphenylethene derivatives as inhibitors of human testes microsomal 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD type 3): further studies with tamoxifen on the rat testes microsomal enzyme

The 7-hydroxycoumarins, umbelliferone and 4-methylumbelliferone (IC50 = 1.4 and 1.9 microM, respectively) were potent inhibitors of human testes microsomal 17beta-HSD (type 3) enzyme whereas 7-methoxycoumarin, 4-hydroxycoumarin and 7-ethoxycoumarin had little or no inhibitory activity. Analogues of the weak inhibitory triphenylethenes tamoxifen and clomiphene but lacking the basic substituent, were weak inhibitors of the human microsomal enzyme. Inhibitory activity was improved by replacement of the triphenylethene structure with a triphenylmethyl (17, 52.6% inhibition) or phenylpropyl (16, 94.8%, IC50 = 42.1 microM) skeleton. Further studies on tamoxifen using rat testes microsomal 17beta-HSD showed that the inhibition was time-dependent and irreversible but not specifically mechanism-based.     

Biotransformations of steroids

Different types of microbiological transformation of steroids are reviewed, with special attention given to bioconversions applied in the manufacturing of steroid hormones, i.e., 11 alpha- 11 beta-, 16 alpha-, 17 alpha-hydroxylations and 1-dehydrogenation. Availability and utilization of raw materials for industrial production of steroids of the estrane, androstane, and pregnane series are discussed. Among the current trends in steroid research of a practical nature, immobilization of enzymes and living cells and the spore process are emphasized as alternative techniques of steroid transformation of possible future importance. Efforts to recognize, in cell-free preparations, the components of steroid-transforming enzyme systems as well as the cellular mechanisms of control of their biosynthesis and activity are described in order to illustrate the main subjects of current basic investigation in steroid bioconversion.