An improved radioimmunoassay for 4-androstene-3,17-dione

A radioimmunoassay using an antiserum produced against 6β-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione-6-succinyl-BSA conjugate is described which permits the rapid determination of 4-androstene-3,17-dione in multiple serum samples that are purified by column chromatography on neutral alumina. Steroids which reacted significantly with the antiserum were found to be 5α-androstane-3,17-dione, 5β-androstane-3,17-dione and 6β-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione. After column chromatography on alumina, however, the only significantly cross-reacting steroids were the 5α and 5β-androstane-3,17-diones, while cross-reactivity from other steroids was reduced to less than 1%.     

Specific antisera suitable for solid-phase radioimmunoassay of 11beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione

Specific antiserum has been developed for use in measuring 11β-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Rabbit antiserum was generated by employing the conjugate prepared by coupling 6β,11β-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione 6-hemisuccinate with bovine serum albumin. The antiserum bound 68% of 50 picograms of 11β-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione-[1,2,6,7-³H] during characterization at a dilution of 1:12,500. Among the numerous steroids tested for cross-reactivity, 5α-androstane-3,17-dione, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, and 11β-hydroxy-5α-androstane-3, 17-dione showed 2%, 5%, and 30% cross-reactivity respectively. The Rivanol-treated antiserum was coupled to Enzacryl AA, in order to study the feasibility of a solid-phase RIA, and this complex showed 50% binding with the labeled antigen at a dilution of 1:3000. The complex retained high specificity and should prove useful in a simple solid-phase RIA.     

Multiple sites of steroid hydroxylation by the liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 system: primary and secondary metabolism of androstenedione

To investigate the potential interaction of the various pathways of androgen hydroxylation, we have conducted studies to identify the profile of products formed during the time course of metabolism of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD). Incubates containing AD, NADPH, and liver microsomes (from rats pretreated with phenobarbital) were sampled at times between 0 and 20 min and the metabolites resolved by reverse-phase (C18) high-performance liquid chromatography. By this method, the pattern of formation and of utilization of eight major primary and secondary metabolites of AD was determined. We report here the formation of two previously unidentified major metabolites of AD: 6 beta,16 alpha-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione and 6 beta,16 beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione. We propose that liver microsomal cytochromes P-450 can sequentially hydroxylate a single molecule of AD at multiple sites. These hydroxylase activities are presumably a result of multiple cytochrome P-450 isozymes acting on AD resulting in a transient time course for the appearance of some monohydroxylated metabolites. In addition, a unidirectional conversion of the metabolite 16 alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione to 16 beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione is described. Evidence is provided to support the role of cytochrome P-450 in catalyzing this reaction.     

Microbial transformation of 3-hydroxy-5,6-cyclopropanocholestanes--an alternative route to 6-methylsteroids

Incubation of 3beta-hydroxy-5,6alpha-cyclopropano-5alpha-cholestane (4), 3beta-hydroxy-5,6beta-cyclopropano-5beta-cholestane (5), and 3beta-hydroxy-5,6alpha-cyclopropano-5alpha-cholest-7-e ne (6) with Mycobacterium sp. (NRRL B-3805) gave a mixture of side chain cleaved 17-keto steroids as the major products in 52, 57, and 69% yields, respectively. Among these 17-keto steroids, the cyclopropyl ring eliminated product, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (9), was isolated in 6, 4, and 8% yields, respectively. A cyclopropyl ring migration product, 6alpha,7alpha-cyclopropanoandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (16), was isolated from the incubation mixture of 6 in 4% yield, also 10% yield of 16 was obtained when 5, 6alpha-cyclopropano-5alpha-androst-7-ene-3,17-dione (12) was incubated. The cyclopropyl ring opening and subsequent reduction followed by oxidation of the two major biotransformation products, 5, 6beta-cyclopropano-5beta-androsta-3,17-dione (10) and 5, 6alpha-cyclopropano-5alpha-androsta-3,17-dione (7), gave 6beta- and 6alpha-methylandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione in 60, and 45% yields, respectively.     

Expression of ksdD gene encoding 3-ketosteroid-Delta1-dehydrogenase from Arthrobacter simplex in Bacillus subtilis

AIMS: To improve KSDH enzyme activity and the transformation level for androst-4-ene-3,17-dione. METHODS AND RESULTS: 3-ketosteroid-Delta(1)-dehydrogenase gene from Arthrobacter simplex was expressed in Bacillus subtilis under the control of P43 promoter. The molecular weight of expressed enzyme was about 55 kDa by SDS-PAGE analysis. The activities of intracellular and extracellular soluble enzymes examined by spectrophotometrical method were 110 +/- 0.5 mU mg(-1) and 15 +/- 0.6 mU mg(-1) of protein, respectively. The transformation rate of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione was 45.3% in the B. subtilis recombinant cells. CONCLUSIONS: The enzyme activity of KSDH expressed in B. subtilis was improved about 30-fold compared with that of Arthrobacter simplex, and the transformation level of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione by the B. subtilis recombinant cells was improved about 10-fold. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The recombinant B. subtilis cells used for biotransformation of steroids provide a new method for production of steroid medicine. The time required for transformation of B. subtilis is much shorter than that of other bacteria, which means it will have wider usage in biopharmaceutical industry.     

Hormonal steroids in the tissue of induced rat mammary tumours

The possible presence of steroids in the tissue of induced hormone-dependent rat mammary tumours was investigated. The method used involves a preliminary extraction of tumours followed by chemical separation and thin-layer chromatography. The identified compounds were cholesterol, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, 5β-androst-1-ene-3,17-dione, androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and oestrone. This is the first report of the presence of these steroids in the tissue of an experimental tumour of a non-endocrine organ. In particular 5β-androst-1-ene-3,17-dione has not previously been identified from natural sources.     

The chemistry of 9 alpha-hydroxysteroids. 1. Preparation of 9 alpha,17 beta-dihydroxy-17 alpha-ethynylandrost-4-en-3-one

9 alpha-Hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione 1, when allowed to react with dipotassium acetylide in tetrahydrofuran, resulted, after chromatographic separation, in 4-methyl-19-norandrosta-4,9-diene-1,17-dione 2, 4 xi-methyl-19-norandrosta-5(10),9(11)-diene-1,17-dione 3, 4-methyl-17 alpha-ethynyl-17 beta-hydroxy-19-norandrosta-4,9-dien-1-one 4, 4 xi-methyl-17 alpha-ethynyl-17 beta-hydroxy-19-norandrosta-5(10),9(11)-dien- 1-one 5, and 17 alpha-ethynyl-17 beta-hydroxy-9,10-secoandrost-4-ene-3,9-dione 6. Selective protection of delta 4-3-ketone of 9 alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione 1 as its dienol methyl ether 7, and subsequent reaction with lithium acetylide-ethylenediamine followed by acidic hydrolysis, afforded 9 alpha,17 beta-dihydroxy-17 alpha- ethynylandrost-4-en-3-one 8.     

The chemistry of 9 alpha-hydroxysteroids. 3. Methods for selective formation and dehydrations of 17 beta-cyano-9 alpha,17 alpha-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one

Two methods to produce the 17-cyanohydrin, using potassium cyanide in acetic acid/methanol or acetone cyanohydrin with aqueous sodium hydroxide, were followed with 9 alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione, both providing 17 beta-cyano-9 alpha,17 alpha-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one. The selectivity of one of these methods, that which uses acetone cyanohydrin, is not in agreement with a comparable reaction with the 9 alpha-unsubstituted androst-4-ene-13,17-dione to give the 17 alpha-cyano-17 beta-hydroxy product, as reported in the literature and confirmed by us. The 9 alpha-hydroxy and 17 alpha-hydroxy groups were used for the regioselective introduction of 9(11)- and 16(17)-double bonds by dehydrating 17 beta-cyano-9 alpha,17 alpha-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one under different conditions.     

Microbial transformation of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione by Beauveria bassiana

The microbial transformation of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (I) by the fungus Beauveria bassiana CCTCC AF206001 has been investigated using pH 6.0 and 7.0 media. Two hydroxylated metabolites were obtained with the pH 6.0 medium. The major product was 11alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (II) whereas the minor product was 6beta,11alpha-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (III). On the other hand, four hydroxylated and/or reduced metabolites were obtained with the pH 7.0 medium. The major product was 11alpha,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-ene-3-one (V) and the minor products were 17beta-hydroxyandrost-ene-3-one (IV), 6beta,11alpha,17beta-trihydroxyandrost-ene-3-one (VI) and 3alpha,11alpha,17beta-trihydroxy-5alpha-androstane (VII). The products were purified by chromatographic methods, and were identified on the basis of spectroscopic methods. This fungus strain is clearly an efficient biocatalyst for 11alpha-hydroxylation and reduction of the 17-carbonyl group.     

The biotransformation of hyodeoxycholic acid by Pseudomonas sp. NCIB 10590 under anaerobic conditions

The bacterial degradation of hyodeoxycholic acid under anaerobic conditions was studied. The major acidic product has been identified as 6 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxochol-4-ene-24-oic acid whilst the major neutral product has been identified as 6 alpha-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione. The minor acidic products were 3,6-dioxochola-1,4-diene-24-oic acid, 3-oxochol-5-ene-24-oic acid, 3-oxochol-4-ene-24-oic acid, 3-oxochola-1,4-diene-24-oic acid and 6 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxochola-1,4-diene-24-oic acid and the minor neutral products were androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione, androsta-1,4-diene-3,6,17-trione, androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione, 17 beta-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3-one and 6 alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione. Evidence is presented which suggests that under aerobic conditions, one pathway of hyodeoxycholic acid metabolism exists whilst under anaerobic conditions an extra biotransformation pathway becomes operative involving the induction of a 6 alpha-dehydroxylase enzyme. A biochemical pathway of hyodeoxycholic acid metabolism by bacteria under anaerobic conditions is discussed incorporating a scheme involving such an enzyme.     

5 alpha-androstane-3,17-dione in peripheral plasma of men and women.

An antibody to androstanedione obtained in a rabbit by immunization with androstenedione-7 alpha-carboxymethyl-thioether conjugated to bovine serum albumin was found to cross-react 100% with 5 alpha-androstane-3,17-dione, a property that was used to develop a radioimmunoassay for this steroid. Plasma 5 alpha-androstane-3,17-dione concentrations were determined in young men, and in women throughout an ovulatory cycle. In the men (n = 6), plasma 5 alpha-androstane-3,17-dione concentrations were in the range of 84 to 273 pg/ml with a mean (+/- SD) value of 164 +/- 57 pg/ml. The plasma levels in the women (n = 5) were in the ranges of 35 +/- 14 to 145 +/- 75 pg/ml during the follicular phase, and 109 +/- 50 to 151 +/- 44 pg/ml during the luteal phase. The tissue sites of origin of 5 alpha-androstane-3,17-dione have not been defined, however, some extraglandular tissues are known to contain enzymes that convert C19-steroids to 5 alpha-androstane-3,17-dione. It is possible that 5 alpha-androstane-3,17-dione in circulation serves as a substrate for peripheral synthesis of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone.     

Metabolism of androst-4-en-3,17-dione by the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa

Microbial transformation of androst-4-en-3,17-dione (AD; I) using Neurospora crassa afforded six metabolites; 6beta,14alpha-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (II), 6beta,9alpha-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (III), 7alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (IV), 9alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (V), 14alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (VI), and androst-4,6-dien-3,17-dione (VII). The steroid products were assigned by interpretation of their spectral data such as (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, FTIR, and mass spectroscopy. The characteristic transformations observed were C-6beta, C-7alpha, C-9alpha, C-14alpha hydroxylations, and C6-C7 dehydrogenation. The best fermentation condition was found to be 6-day incubation at 25 degrees C and pH value of 5.0-6.5 according to TLC profiles. Time course study showed the accumulation of V and VI from the third day and IV from the fourth day of the fermentation. Optimum concentration of the substrate, which gave maximum bioconversion efficiency, was 3.5mM in one batch. Biotransformation was completely inhibited in a concentration above 7.0mM.     

The chemistry of 9 alpha-hydroxy steroids. 2. Epimerization and functionalization of 17 alpha-ethynylated 9 alpha-hydroxy steroids

Practical routes to 9 alpha-hydroxypregnenes were developed by epimerization and hydration of 17 alpha-ethynyl-9 alpha,17 beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one. In the three different methods of epimerization which were used, the C-9 alpha hydroxy group was not susceptible to rearrangement or other side reactions. C-21 functionalized 9 alpha-hydroxypregnenes were obtained by introducing a 17 alpha-halogenated ethynyl group into 9 alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione. Epimerization and hydration by the 17 beta-nitrooxy method produced 21-halogenated 9 alpha-hydroxypregnenes, which were further converted into 21-acetoxy-9 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione.     

Improved synthesis of 16alpha-hydroxylated androgens: intermediates of estriol formation in pregnancy.

16alpha-Hydroxyandrostenedione (16alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione), 16alpha-hydroxytestosterone (16alpha,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one) and 16alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone 3-sulfate (3beta, 16alpha-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one 3-monosulfate) were synthesized by a new chemical approach with much improved yield. 16alpha-Bromoandrostendione was converted to the hydrazone of 16alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione which gave 16alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione on acid hydrolysis in total 63% yield. Oxidation of 16alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone with Jones' reagent also selectively afforded 16alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione. 16alpha-Hydroxytestosterone was observed by selective reduction of 16alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione with sodium borohydride. Reaction of 16alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone with chlorosulfonic acid in pyridine selectively gave the 3-monosulfate. The structure of the sulfate was deduced from its solvolysis to the starting material, and its acetylation and subsequent solvolysis to 16alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone 16-acetate. All procedures are suitable for large scale synthesis without the use of microorganisms.     

Metabolism of 19-methyl-substituted steroids by human placental aromatase

The 19-methyl analogues of androstenedione and its aromatization intermediates (19-hydroxyandrostenedione and 19-oxoandrostenedione) were evaluated as substrates of microsomal aromatase in order to determine the effect of a 19-alkyl substituent on the enzyme's regiospecificity. Neither the androstenedione analogue [10-ethylestr-4-ene-3,17-dione (1c)] nor the 19-oxoandrostenedione analogue [10-acetylestr-4-ene-3,17-dione (3c)] was converted to estrogens or oxygenated metabolites by placental microsomes. In contrast, both analogues of 19-hydroxyandrostenedione [10-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]estr-4-ene-3,17-dione (2c) and 10-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]estr-4-ene-3,17-dione (2e)] were converted to the intermediate analogue 3c in a process requiring O2 and either NADH or NADPH. No change in enzyme regiospecificity was detected. The absolute configuration of 2e was determined by X-ray crystallography. Experiments with 18O2 established that 3c generated from 2c retained little 18O (less than 3%), while 3c arising from 2e retained a significant amount of 18O (approximately equal to 70%). All four 19-methyl steroids elicited type I difference spectra from placental microsomes in addition to acting as competitive inhibitors of aromatase (KI = 81 nM, 11 microM, 9.9 microM, and 150 nM for 1c, 2c, 2e, and 3c, respectively). Pretreatment of microsomes with 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (a suicide inactivator of aromatase) abolished the metabolism of 2c and 2e to 3c, as well as the type I difference spectrum elicited by 2c and 2e.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Subcellular localization and properties of mouse adrenal C19-steroid 5beta-reductase.

The localization and some characteristics of mouse adrenal C19-steroid 5 beta-reductase were determined by the incubation of subcellular fractions of mouse adrenal tissue with [7 alpha-3H]androst-4-ene-3,17-dione. This enzyme was present only in the soluble fraction and was NADPH-dependent, although a small activity in the presence of NADH was also detected. The soluble fraction also contained 3alpha-, 3beta- and a small amount of 17 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase. These and other steroid-metabolizing enzymes present in the remaining subcelluar fractions are also described briefly. To measure 5 beta-androstane-3,17-dione production by the mouse adrenal soluble fraction, all 5 beta products first had to be oxidized to 5 beta-androstane-3,17-dione, and the recovery of radio-activity between the substrate androst-4-ene-3,17-dione and product 5 beta-androstane-3,17-dione of 96.1 +/-3.2% validated this technique. C19-steroid 5 beta-reductase has a pH optimum of 6.5 and at low substrate concentrations the Km and Vmax. for 5 beta reduction of [7 alpha-3H]androst-4-ene-ene-3,17-dione was 2.22 times 10(-6) "/- 0.48 times 10(-6) M and 450+/- 53 pmol/min per mg of protein respectively. At high substrate concentration, inhibition of the reaction occurred, which was shown to be due to increasing product concentration.     

The constitutive 7-ethoxycoumarin 0-deethylase of human placental microsomes: relationship to the intermediary steps in steroid aromatization

All oxidative functions of aromatase, i.e., estrogen production, 19-oxygenated androgen production and 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylation, were inhibited in parallel in placental microsomes from non-smokers by the mechanism-based, time-dependent inactivators (suicide substrates) 10 beta-(2-propynyl)estr-4-ene-3,17-dione and 4-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione. In contrast, the aromatase suicide substrate androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione had little or no effect on the conversion of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione to 19-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione or on the conversion of the latter to 3,17-dioxoandrost-4-en-19-al while severely limiting the capacity for estrogen production from androst-4-ene-3,17-dione and 19-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione in such microsomal preparations. Androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione, therefore, appears to uncouple the 19-hydroxylation of androgens from estrogen synthesis. This agent also produced only a minimal inhibition of 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylation, indicating that this major constitutive transformation of a xenobiotic chemical is associated with the steroid 19-hydroxylating function of the aromatase system.     

3-甾酮-1-脱氢酶基因的表达及甾体转化分析

本文利用带有P43启动子的表达分泌载体pWB980,实现了简单节杆菌3-甾酮-1-脱氢酶在枯草芽孢杆菌中的表达,表达出的目的蛋白的分子量为55KDa。利用分光光度法检测得到胞内和胞外可溶性部分的酶活分别为110±0.5mU和15±0.6mU每毫克蛋白, 比出发菌株简单节杆菌提高了将近30倍。重组芽孢杆菌对甾体底物4-AD的转化率为45.3％,比出发菌株简单节杆菌提高了近10倍。利用枯草芽孢杆菌对甾体底物进行脱氢为甾体药物的生产开辟了一个新的途径。     

Microbial degradation of 2 alpha, 3 alpha-dihydroxy-5 alpha-cholestan-6-one by Mycobacterium vaccae.

2 alpha,3 alpha-Dihydroxy-5 alpha-cholestan-6-one (3), which had the substitution pattern of brassinosteroids in the A/B-ring moiety, was transformed by Mycobacterium vaccae to give 2 alpha,3 alpha,6 alpha-trihydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-17-one (4) and 2 alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (5). The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods, especially 1H nuclear magnetic resonance studies.     

HPLC analysis of PAMAM dendrimer based multifunctional devices

6-OXO, a new nutritional supplement commercially available on the internet, is sold as an aromatase-inhibitor and contains androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione as active ingredient. This anabolic steroid is a prohibited substance in sports. Androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione is metabolised to androst-4-ene-6alpha-ol-3,17-dione and androst-4-ene-6alpha,17beta-diol-3-one. A fast, sensitive and accurate LC/MS method was developed and validated for the quantification of androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione and its metabolites in urine. The method is capable of determining the stereochemical position of the hydroxy-group at C-6 of the metabolites and consists of a liquid-liquid extraction step with diethylether after enzymatic hydrolysis, followed by separation on a reversed phase column. Ionisation of the analytes is carried out using atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation. The limit of quantification of the method was 5 ng/mL for all compounds. The accuracy ranged from 14.8 to 1.3% for androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione, 9.4 to 1.6% for androst-4-ene-6alpha-ol-3,17-dione and 4.1 to 3.2% for androst-4-ene-6alpha,17beta-diol-3-one in the range of 5-1000 ng/mL. Using this method androst-4-ene-6alpha-ol-3,17-dione was identified as a major urinary metabolite, whereas androst-4-ene-6alpha,17beta-diol-3-one as a minor metabolite. While the parent compound is predominantly excreted in conjugated form, both metabolites are solely excreted as conjugates.