一株宽谱裂解性溶藻弧菌噬菌体ФV170的分离鉴定及生物学特性

【背景】溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)是水产养殖中重要的条件致病菌,对海水养殖业造成了极大的危害。传统的抗生素疗法引发的耐药问题已经成为全球面临的严峻挑战之一,而作为可替代抗生素的噬菌体疗法已被证实能够有效治疗弧菌病。【目的】深入研究溶藻弧菌噬菌体ФV170的生物学特性,为该菌株在水产动物病害控制中的应用提供数据支持。【方法】以溶藻弧菌V170为宿主菌,采用斑点法从凡纳滨对虾养殖水体中筛选噬菌体,并以双层平板法对噬菌体进行纯化、生长、效价等方面的研究;利用电镜观察噬菌体形态;通过酶切方法分析噬菌体的基因组大小及其类型。【结果】分离得到一株宽谱裂解性噬菌体ФV170,其噬菌斑边缘整齐且通透,12 h直径达1.5 mm。鉴定结果显示,噬菌体ФV170头部为正廿面体的立体对称结构,直径为60 nm-65 nm,尾部长为65 nm-75 nm,宽14 nm-18 nm,核酸类型为dsDNA,基因组大小约为45 kb,对氯仿不敏感,属于有尾噬菌体目(Caudovirales)肌尾噬菌体科(Myoviridae)。此外,噬菌体ФV170可裂解15株溶藻弧菌中的7株,属于种内宽谱;最佳感染复数为0.01;一步生长曲线显示潜伏期为10 min,裂解量为101.3;对65°C以上温度敏感。【结论】分离得到一株宽谱裂解性溶藻弧菌噬菌体,该噬菌体具有治疗海水养殖过程中溶藻弧菌病的潜力。     

溶藻弧菌ZJ-T小RNA srvg23535基因突变株的构建及其功能初探

【背景】小RNA被证实对细菌遗传变异、生长繁殖、致病性等具有重要的调控作用,但是在机会致病菌——溶藻弧菌(Vibrioalginolyticus)中研究较少。本实验室前期通过转录组测序和Northern Blot鉴定得到溶藻弧菌ZJ-T中小RNA srvg23535。【目的】初探小RNA srvg23535对溶藻弧菌生物学特性的影响。【方法】利用同源重组技术构建小RNA srvg23535的缺失突变株,并对野生株和srvg23535突变株的菌落形态、运动性、胞外蛋白酶分泌、H_2O_2和Cu~(2+)的压力感应、铁吸收利用、抗生素抗性以及生长代谢等生物学特性进行比较研究。【结果】通过对溶藻弧菌小RNA srvg23535基因缺失突变株的生物学特性分析表明,小RNA srvg23535缺失后,对溶藻弧菌菌落形态、运动性、胞外蛋白酶分泌、H_2O_2和Cu~(2+)的压力感应、铁吸收利用、抗生素抗性以及多数测定的碳源、氮源代谢的影响不显著;但突变株对D-海藻糖(D-trehalose)的代谢减弱,对果胶(Pectin)、丙氨酸-谷氨酰胺(Ala-Gln)的代谢增强,并可利用丙氨酸-天冬氨酸(Ala-Asp)为氮源。【结论】小RNA srvg23535参与调控溶藻弧菌对D-海藻糖(D-trehalose)、果胶(Pectin)、丙氨酸-谷氨酰胺(Ala-Gln)和丙氨酸-天冬氨酸(Ala-Asp)的代谢,这将为获取srvg23535调控靶标基因,进而阐明其与靶标基因的相互作用机制奠定基础。     

斑节对虾(非洲群体)肠道细菌抗生素耐药性及耐药基因分布特征

【目的】解析斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)(非洲群体)(俗称“金刚虾”,以下同)携带耐药菌及耐药基因现状。【方法】本研究从山东滨州北海新区采集了金刚虾,对其肠道细菌常用抗生素的耐药菌性质及数量、占比及种类进行检测,通过荧光定量PCR技术分析肠道内容物样品中的4类抗生素的4种耐药性基因分布特征。【结果】肠道中可培养细菌总数约1.45×10⁵–2.13×10⁶ CFU/g,有四环素、萘啶酸、氟苯尼考、庆大霉素4种抗生素耐药菌的检出,其中喹诺酮类萘啶酸耐药菌占比最高,达到35.00%,氨基糖苷类庆大霉素占比最少。10种抗生素药敏性质分析表明,肠道可培养细菌对庆大霉素、氟苯尼考等6种抗生素高度敏感,对四环素、卡那霉素中度敏感,对萘啶酸、青霉素、阿莫西林耐药。从分离的耐药菌鉴定结果可以得出,可培养的抗生素耐药菌主要集中在弧菌属,基于属水平的不同抗生素耐药菌统计显示,不同抗生素耐药菌种类存在明显差异,且同一菌属有耐多种抗生素的情况。荧光定量PCR检测分析,4种耐药基因的丰度不同,tet A基因相对拷贝数和四环素耐药菌比例、floR基因和氟苯尼...     

添加抗生素对新疆特殊生境微生物分离培养的影响

【背景】新疆特殊生境罗布泊及温宿峡谷凭借其特殊的地理位置、极端的周边自然生态环境及较少的人为活动影响,促成了其独特的微生物优质资源。【目的】为探索添加抗生素对微生物选择性分离培养的作用,优化改良新疆特殊生境微生物选择性分离培养,以减少对菌株的重复分离,还可以选择性培养更多耐受此类抗生素的微生物,发现更多生物活性产物。【方法】以高氏一号培养基为基础,添加不同浓度的β-内酰胺类抗生素阿莫西林(amoxicillin)、氨基糖苷类抗生素卡那霉素(kanamycin)、安莎大环内酯类抗生素利福平(rifampicin)、喹诺酮类抗生素诺氟沙星(norfloxacin)、酰胺醇类抗生素氯霉素(chloramphenicol)、氨基糖苷类抗生素链霉素(streptomycin),分离新疆特殊生境罗布泊及温宿峡谷土壤样品中的微生物。【结果】添加诺氟沙星分离获得的微生物种类和数量最多,其次是卡那霉素和阿莫西林,再次是利福平和氯霉素。所选用的大多抗生素在1/10 MIC和1/15 MIC浓度时分离效果最好。罗布泊土样共分离到19株菌,分布在8个属。其中芽孢杆菌属6株、链霉菌属5株、类芽孢杆菌属3株、根瘤...     

大黄鱼源溶藻弧菌的鉴定及其菌蜕制备

【背景】菌蜕是诱导Phi X174噬菌体裂解基因E(Lysis E)在革兰氏阴性菌中表达后所获得无细胞内容物的细菌空壳。菌蜕生物安全性高,能以类似活菌方式诱导机体产生良好的系统和黏膜免疫应答。【目的】对分离自患溃疡病大黄鱼肝脏中的病原菌株16-3进行种属鉴定,利用温控调节表达系统控制Phi X174噬菌体裂解基因E在该菌株中的表达来制备菌蜕,为防控鱼类溶藻弧菌感染提供有效手段。【方法】采用形态特征观察、生理生化特性测定及16S r RNA基因序列分析等方法对菌株16-3进行鉴定;构建温控裂解质粒p BV220-Lysis E,并将其电转至溶藻弧菌菌株16-3,形成重组溶藻弧菌菌株16-3(p BV220-Lysis E);将不同起始浓度的重组溶藻弧菌培养物同时进行42°C升温诱导,比较其溶菌动力曲线和裂解效率的差异;在最佳条件下制备溶藻弧菌菌株16-3菌蜕,电镜观察其形态与结构,采用倾注平板法测定冻干菌蜕中的活菌数。【结果】综合菌株16-3在形态、生理生化及16S r RNA基因系统发育等方面的特性,确定其为溶藻弧菌;构建了温控裂解质粒p BV220-Lysis E和重组溶藻弧菌菌株16-3(p BV220-Lysis E);溶藻弧菌菌株16-3菌蜕制备的最佳条件是选择起始浓度OD600为0.3的菌液进行诱导,诱导3 h后即可收获菌蜕,其裂解效率为96.9%,但经冻干处理后的菌蜕无活菌残留;电镜观察发现菌株16-3菌蜕保持原细胞的基本形态,但细胞表面有明显的溶菌孔道,且由于细胞内容流失而使细胞表面发生皱缩。【结论】制备出溶藻弧菌菌株16-3菌蜕,为其作为疫苗或疫苗递送载体奠定了基础。     

溶藻弧菌铁载体合成及外膜蛋白表达的研究

初步研究了海洋动物病原菌溶藻弧菌的铁摄取机制。溶藻弧菌能够在高浓度铁螯合剂2-2二联吡啶的培养基中存活。在限铁环境中,溶藻弧菌生长受到抑制,补加铁可以消除这种抑制作用。通过铁载体定量检测,发现分离于发病鱼体的溶藻弧菌MVP01产铁载体量大于分离于海水的菌株No·1·1587。互补实验证明溶藻弧菌的铁载体粗提物能够被铁载体合成缺陷的大肠杆菌突变株AN93利用。在铁限制培养环境中,溶藻弧菌合成了约80kD铁调控外膜蛋白。铁摄取系统在溶藻弧菌的生存和致病性方面,都有重要的作用。     

细菌整合性接合元件SXT/R391研究进展

SXT/R391家族是整合性接合元件中多样性最为丰富、成员最多的一个家族。SXT/R391包括保守的核基因以及可变区基因,SXT/R391保守的核心基因主要涉及SXT/R391的整合/剪切、自我接合转移、元件表达的调节。SXT/R391可变区基因的编码产物主要负责宿主对抗生素的耐药性、重金属离子抗性、生物膜形成和细菌运动能力的调节,编码毒素-抗毒素系统以阻止SXT/R391从宿主丢失。一些SXT/R391也编码限制性修饰系统、解旋酶、核酸内切酶。SXT/R391受SetCD正性调控,受SetR负性调控。SXT/R391接合转移过程不会导致其在原供体菌基因组丢失。SXT/R391可以阻止细胞获得其它密切相关的同类SXT/R391但不排斥异质性ICE获得,在SXT/R391自身编码的重组系统作用下获得的异质性ICE导致杂合ICE的产生。SXT/R391具有相当高的转移频率和宽广宿主范围,目前已经有超过40个不同类型的SXT/R391在不同种属的细菌中被发现,以弧菌为最多。已知的SXT/R391集中出现在非洲和亚洲沿海地区,且来源多为海洋细菌,表明海洋环境很可能是SXT/R391主要的贮藏库,并且经由海洋环境株向临床株扩散。日益增加的选择压力很可能加速了SXT/R391的传播。鉴于SXT/R391的转移和盛行带来的风险,卫生部门以及医学微生物科学家应对其扩散保持充分警惕。     

Burkholderia sp. IDO3中靛蓝合成基因的克隆表达及其合成特性

【目的】克隆和表达靛蓝合成基因,并将其用于靛蓝合成研究。【方法】对菌株Burkholderia sp.IDO3中靛蓝合成基因进行克隆和大肠杆菌异源表达,构建能合成蓝色色素的基因工程菌。利用液相色谱和质谱对产物进行分析,采用单因素法对培养温度、转速、培养基成分等进行优化,并考察优化条件下的靛蓝合成曲线。【结果】构建了一株重组大肠杆菌E.coli IND_AB,该菌株能够在LB培养基生长的过程中合成蓝色色素,产物分析表明该色素为靛蓝;菌株IND_AB在30°C和150 r/min条件下能在LB培养基中合成22.9 mg/L靛蓝,优化培养条件后产量达到25.4 mg/L;优化LB培养基各组分浓度后产量可提高到35.1 mg/L;外加50.0 mg/L吲哚或0.1 g/L色氨酸后靛蓝产量可分别提高到57.7 mg/L和64.4 mg/L,相比初始产量提高了152.0%和181.2%;靛蓝合成曲线表明在添加吲哚或色氨酸的培养基中,菌株IND_AB前6 h没有靛蓝生成,6-15 h为靛蓝合成加速期,18 h达到产量平衡。【结论】重组大肠杆菌IND_AB可用于生物合成高纯度靛蓝,为靛蓝的微生物合成提供了有效的基因资源。     

鳜源致病性维氏气单胞菌的鉴定及药敏试验

【目的】通过对从患病的鳜(Siniperca chuatsi)肝脏中分离得到的一株优势菌WJ2014-1进行鉴定,旨在确定病因并筛选出敏感药物,为今后鳜维氏气单胞菌(Aeromonas veronii)的防治提供参考。【方法】从患病鳜肝脏分离致病菌,通过对其生理生化特征与16S r RNA基因序列分析进行鉴定,并通过纸片扩散法进行药敏试验。【结果】用菌株WJ2014-1进行人工回归感染试验后,鳜发病症状与自然发病症状相似。根据该菌株的形态特征、生化特性、16S r RNA基因序列分析结果鉴定为维氏气单胞菌。该菌株对复方新诺明、强力霉素、罗红霉素、头孢噻肟、哌拉西林等21种抗生素敏感,对氯霉素、诺氟沙星、萘啶酸等9种抗生素耐药。【结论】分离得到的菌株WJ2014-1对鳜有致病性,生产中可选用复方新诺明、强力霉素、罗红霉素等药物进行防治。     

IncFII-FIA-FIB型多重耐药质粒pBTR-CTXM的结构基因组学分析

【背景】IncFII-FIA-FIB型质粒广泛存在于肠杆菌科细菌中,介导了许多耐药基因的水平转移,并导致细菌多重耐药问题日益严重。【目的】分析IncFII-FIA-FIB型多重耐药质粒pBTR-CTXM的基因组结构,并研究其介导大肠杆菌BTR株的耐药基因水平转移机制。【方法】利用PCR进行耐药基因筛查;接合转移和电转化实验验证质粒pBTR-CTXM是否具备自主接合转移的特性;VITEK 2 Compact全自动细菌鉴定及药敏分析仪测定相关菌株对抗生素的药物敏感性;构建MatePair文库并进行细菌全基因组高通量测序和质粒结构基因组学分析。【结果】菌株BTR是携带blaNDM-1、blaCTX-M-15、blaTEM、qnrD、qnrS1、mph(A)、erm(B)和tetA(B)等耐药基因的多重耐药大肠杆菌,其中blaCTX-M-15、mph(A)、erm(B)和tet A(B)等耐药基因均位于大小为144 939 bp的质粒p BTR-CTXM (GenBank登录号MF156697)上,该质粒可与菌株BTR内质粒pNDM-BTR接合共转移到受体菌大肠杆菌EC600中。pBTR-CTXM具备IncFII-FIA-FIB型质粒典型的骨架区结构,其多重耐药(Multidrug-resistant,MDR)区由新的复合型转座子Tn6492、Tn2残余、Tn10残余、ISEcp1-blaCTX-M-15-Δorf477转座单元和一些插入序列组成。【结论】pBTR-CTXM中新复合型转座子Tn6492与Tn10残余和ISEcp1-blaCTX-M-15-Δorf477转座单元共同介导大肠杆菌BTR株的多重耐药与耐药基因的水平传播。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

转Cry1Ac/1Ab基因棉花对异色瓢虫生长发育及其捕食功能的影响

【目的】为探究转Cry1Ac/1Ab基因棉花对异色瓢虫生长发育及其捕食功能的影响。【方法】以转Cry1Ac/1Ab基因棉与其亲本常规棉为实验材料,利用取食不同棉花品种叶片的棉铃虫饲喂异色瓢虫幼虫。【结果】与常规亲本棉相比,取食饲喂转基因棉花叶片的初孵棉铃虫幼虫的异色瓢虫幼虫从1龄发育至化蛹期时间延长0.77 d,但差异不显著;除1龄幼虫体重增加(0.0773 mg)外,其余各龄期幼虫体重均有所下降,但差异均不显著;异色瓢虫1、2、3、4龄幼虫对初孵棉铃虫捕食量均随棉铃虫密度的增加而增加,捕食功能反应均符合HollingⅡ圆盘方程。【结论】转Cry1Ac/1Ab基因棉花对异色瓢虫生长发育无显著影响,饲喂取食转Cry1Ac/1Ab基因棉花的棉铃虫对异色瓢虫捕食功能无显著差异。     

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.     

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.